Growing up, I pretty much excelled at everything I put my hand to. Whether it was baseball, basketball, theatre, writing, or making people laugh, it all came pretty natural to me. If it didn’t, I was quick to quit because, as my fifth grade teacher once said, “If Jon can’t be the best, then Jon doesn’t want to play.”

This aptitude for success was both a blessing and curse. It gave me a lot of confidence, which made it easier for me to make friends in school. Blessing. On the other hand, it gave me a lot of confidence, which made it easier for me to become an arrogant jerk. Curse.

Our greatest strengths, when not developed and stewarded correctly with a humble heart, can very easily become our greatest weaknesses. 

Conversely though, our greatest weaknesses are often just our greatest strengths waiting to be discovered and developed. As I grew older, I became more comfortable with the responsibilities of the leadership positions I found myself being thrust into. I began to buy into the importance of serving others and making a positive impact in their lives. When this switch happened, I began the change from arrogant, selfish, loud-mouth, to confident, service oriented, leader. (A road that I am undoubtably still traveling)

Peter Parker knew that with great power comes great responsibility. That responsibility is a choice we all have to make, whether to use our gifts for good, or for evil. 

Will you only leverage your talent for personal power and selfish gain? 

Or will you share your abilities generously as an act of service to the world?