The Gift Beneath the Struggle
The Bella Mafia, by Lynda La Plante is one book whose magnificent story has remained embedded in my heart for years. What captivated me most wasn’t the power, wealth, or revenge that drives the plot, but a small, almost hidden story within it. It’s the story of Giorgio, a sickly, fragile, physically disabled young boy. His father, a powerful man with deep connections to the mafia, felt ashamed of having such a son. To him, Giorgio was a blemish – an imperfection he couldn’t bear to face. And so, he kept the boy hidden away in a hospital unknown and slowly deteriorating.
Yet, within this frail young man lay something extraordinary. Giorgio was an avid reader with a razor-sharp intellect, a brilliance that outshone anyone his age. His body may have been weak, but his mind was alive, curious, and luminous. He absorbed knowledge, understood the world in ways that even those considered “whole” could not. But sadly, his potential was never celebrated. His light burned quietly, unseen and unappreciated – until, at last, it was extinguished by death.
That story has stayed with me because it mirrors a truth about life that we often overlook. In psychology, there is a concept known as twice exceptionality. This is a term used for individuals who are both gifted and challenged. They may have exceptional talents in art, intellect or creativity, yet live with a learning disability such as dyslexia, ADHD, or dyscalculia. Often, the disability hides the gift so effectively that teachers, parents, and even the individuals themselves fail to recognize it.
But perhaps “twice exceptionality” isn’t just a psychological label – maybe it’s a reflection of the human condition itself. Many of us carry deep wells of potential, creativity, and wisdom, yet we remain entangled in the weaknesses, fears, or thought patterns that keep us small. We have parts of ourselves that shine, and parts that sabotage the shine. Some of us are imprisoned not by physical disability, but by emotional ones: self-doubt, procrastination, pride, or the fear of being seen.
Like the hidden Giorgio, we hide our brilliance away because life or others once made us feel unworthy. We convince ourselves that our flaws are proof that we don’t belong among the gifted. And slowly, we silence the light within us, letting it wither quietly in the corner of our lives.
The truth is, every one of us carries both strength and struggle. Which one are you feeding?
Our “disabilities” are not always visible. Sometimes they come in the form of bitterness, negative thinking, or the inability to forgive. These are the inner conditions that cloud our potential, consuming our joy and eroding our sense of purpose. Yet, what if the very area of struggle in your life is also where your greatest power lies hidden? What if your weakness is not your shame, but your clue; the pointer toward the treasure buried within?
Growth begins when we become brutally honest with ourselves. It takes courage to face your inner dysfunction; the habits, attitudes, or beliefs that cripple your potential. But denial never heals. Awareness does. Once you face your “disability,” you can begin to nurture your strength until it grows large enough to overshadow the weakness.
Magnify what is good in you. Feed it daily with belief, discipline, and hope. Let your light expand until it begins to consume the darkness that once consumed you. Because, in truth, your weakness doesn’t cancel your gift – it conceals it. When you finally see beyond what’s broken and focus on what’s beautiful, that hidden brilliance begins to rise.
So, look within. Find the part of you that still believes, still dreams, still wants to grow, even if the world has overlooked it. Nurture it. Water it. Let it bloom in defiance of everything that tried to silence it.
Perhaps your story, your struggle is not meant to be hidden, like Giorgio, but to remind the world that even in frailty, brilliance can bloom.
Mildred Mutize
Coach / Author / Speaker
