You Are Special

Are you special?

Of course you are!  There is absolutely no doubt about that at all.  You are very special!

How did it make you feel when I said that?  Despite the fact that this is a very impersonal conversation - one where neither of us knows anything about the other and we are not talking to each other directly - I am guessing it made you feel good, even if only for a brief moment.

You are special, but not because someone else says or thinks you are.  You are special simply because you are YOU.  There is nobody else quite like you.  There has never been anyone quite like you in the past, and there will never be anyone exactly the same as you in the future.

This is all true.  So true that you shouldn't need me, or anyone else, to confirm it for you.

The trouble is, most of us DO seem to need constant validation of this simple fact.

This can be especially the case in relationships.  You thrive on compliments from your spouse or significant other.  You want them to tell you that you are more beautiful, handsome, caring, intelligent, etc than anyone else.  Perhaps in the first flush of love that is what they truly believed.  But maybe now they don't.  Not because they love you any the less.  They still love you deeply, but no longer need to believe you are more beautiful, handsome, caring, intelligent, etc than anyone else.  They love you for who you really are, not for the projection of what you believe you should be.

That true, deep love is very important.  And it illustrates a deeper, wider lesson.  That you don't have to be "more".  It is enough that you simply are.

You don't have to be "more successful" than others.  It doesn't matter how successful others are.  Well, it does for them, of course, and we should always be pleased for the successes of our friends, colleagues and relatives.  But you do not have to be more successful than them, only as successful as you want to be.

Life is an experience, a beautiful experience, not a competition.  There will always be someone better than you in almost any aspect, any characteristic, any skill.  The purpose of life is not for you to be the best, but simply to be all that you can be.

You don't have to look in the mirror, ask it who the most beautiful person in the world is, and then expect it to answer that you are.  We all know the fairy tale where someone did that.  Look at the damage she caused before she was forced to wear a pair of red hot shoes (and by "hot" I am not referring to how popular they were!) and dance in them until she dropped dead.  You don't want to be the evil queen in Snow White!  And you don't need to be either!

It is enough that you are special and that you know you are special.  That you are talented (even if you haven't developed all those talents yet) and that you know you are talented.  But especially that you are loving and kind and that the world is a better place because you are here.

You are special, very special, but don't go looking for anyone else to confirm that to you.  It is enough simply that you ARE.

Discovering and Celebrating Hidden Talents

by

Kristen Clark

Projects we enjoy doing at the office or hobbies we carve out time for during the weekends are good indicators of our talents - natural or learned. These are the activities that help us feel good about ourselves. When we experience the results of using our talents in these areas, we begin to recognize and believe more deeply in our abilities. If you want to boost your self-esteem, follow these four simple steps for discovering and using your talents.

1. Identify current interests. Make a mental note of the activities you currently enjoy and why. Ask yourself what it is specifically about these activities that inspires and satisfies you. Assess your interest and your skill. The things you already like to do are probably things you are also good at doing. Keep doing those things and if needed, find a way to do them more often.

2. Ask others about their interests. Talk to friends, family members, and colleagues about how they discovered their passion and what they did to sharpen their skills. Perhaps you'll find that you have similar interests; if so, you can pursue those interests together. Or, temporarily borrow their interests; try their passions on for size and see how you feel about them. You might feel a little out of your comfort zone, but it may be a worthwhile experience in identifying new and exciting talents of your own. If you decide you don't like something once you've tried it, you will still have gained some great insight into yourself.

3. Research interests online. The Internet is a great way to explore new ideas and opportunities without investing significant time or money in the experience. Explore various online courses to see if anything peaks your curiosity. Check out interest groups, forums, and chat rooms and search for conversations that appeal to you. Identify why the conversation appeals to you and assess if you have the skills needed to participate. If not, take a class and learn how. If so, dive right in.

4. Take community classes. Community classes are an excellent way to discover talents and passions. Most classes are usually local and easily accessible. Many classes are affordable and require little additional knowledge or training. Some classes are offered frequently during the year so you can attend one at your convenience. Once you've chosen a class to attend, you'll get a good idea about the subject over the span of the course. At the end, you can decide whether or not it's right for you. If not, you can move on and try a different course until you find an interest and corresponding hidden talents that meshes well with your needs and desires.

Whatever you do, don't give up. The goal is to build self-esteem by identifying hidden talents. Make an investment in yourself by uncovering your own hidden talents and nurture those talents to your heart's content. Doing so will lead to deep fulfillment and personal satisfaction. And, you might even have some fun in the process.

Negative feelings about ourselves are often the result of low self-esteem, which can impede our efforts to be successful. I am Kristen Clark. Please join me at http://www.hissideofthelookingglass.com, where you'll find Christian resources designed to help you change your mind about yourself, discover WHO you are and WHOSE you are, and build the confidence you need to not only accomplish more but reach your highest potential.

Hidden Talents

by

Shell Mendelson

One of my very favorite Career Exploration books is called Zen and the Art of Making a Living by Laurence Boldt. This book originally came out in 1991 and has been updated with a 2010 edition. One area in particular caught my eye that I'd like to share with you, in my own way, with regard to releasing the talents within you. Some of you may be asking yourself, what are my talents? Or, how do I clear the way to ultimately express my talents. Because if you're not using the talents, gifts and skills you were meant to use in your work, it's no wonder you're just not enjoying yourself or looking forward to going to work everyday!

Laurence Boldt says that with attitude and creativity, you can ACT your way to the full release of talent.

ATTITUDE, CREATIVITY AND TALENT

A is for Attitude: When it comes to unleashing your talents, ATTITUDE is truly one of the key ingredients. In this case, it's about having an attitude that will "give you energy" for the full release of it. That means that "self-pity" will not move us forward, and therefore, there is no room in our life or in anyone's who wants to unleash his or her true talents. It involves creating a more active inner or spiritual life - "quickening your imagination." Bring to your work a spirit of gratitude. Be glad to be alive and happy to have the opportunity to work, to give in any capacity. Practice attitude while doing any work, however, menial, monotonous or mundane it may seem. Do not resent work - embrace it. By doing so, we will begin to experience enjoyment.

C is for Creativity: "Creativity requires still greater inner aliveness - a more active imagination, and so is more pleasurable. To be resourceful, we must first accept things as they are, then go on to make a masterful arrangement of them. For example, because one is poor, he or she needn't live in a way that is not beautiful. The creative, resourceful one will make of his or her clothing and home beautiful arrangements that show love and humanity. Creative resourcefulness is bold and confident, unafraid of obstacles or difficulties, using them as catalysts to spark ever greater achievement."

T is for Talent: I think I love this one the best. "Talent is the final expression of joy in work." Attitude says: Don't resent. Creativity says: Invent, arrange, play. Talent is silent - bliss. While practicing our talent, our art, we are not." We have forgotten ourselves (think - "where did the time go?). To forget oneself is the greatest of all pleasures - the ultimate joy. One who has not developed attitude is frustrated - time, self-remembrance-weigh heavy on us. Attitude frees; creativity, still more; but in the expression of talent, we become the slayer of time. We enter into the timeless. When we are fully expressing our strongest talents, our joy is complete.

So today, let's remember the things that create timelessness in our lives - how can we bring that energy into our work lives? Every time I get to see one of my clients light up with an "ah ha," moment that takes them to another level in developing a new or redeveloped career direction, I think, "I could do this all day and be happy." Use your talents for the highest good and watch time go by as you enter that blissful state of mind.

To your career and life success!

About the Author:

Shell Mendelson, MS, has been a Career Path Counselor for over 22 years, and trained directly with Richard Bolles, Master Career Counselor and author of What Color Is Your Parachute. She has helped thousands from teens to retirees find their passion and career calling. Shell is the founder and former CEO of KidzArt, an international art education franchise in 29 states and 8 countries. To learn more about her services, call 830-626-6334, email Shell at shell@nbcareersnow.com or visit http://www.careertopassion.com and receive your FREE SIX MINUTE GOAL SETTING EXERCISE that you can do individually, with a partner or with your family