Last week I said I would write a list of things I am great at to balance out the
list 10 things at which I totally suck. I wanted to do this, not out of self-aggrandizement or to make myself look better in the eyes of others, but out of a desire to to stay positive and optimistic. I believe that what you put out into the universe matters, and I work hard to tip the balance of my own output more towards the positive than the negative. And this space - this little corner of the internet that I call my own - is a cornerstone of that positivity. I
need to be kind to myself here. Because, if I can't do that
here, where
can I do it?
But this list is proving even harder to write than I could have imagined. I am tempted to joke around or be self-deprecating; to say things like "I am great at starting things and not finishing them." I want to qualify each statement, with a "but" or a "sometimes" or an explanation of what makes me think I am good at these things or of who put that idea into my head. But to do that would be to remove much of the power of this exercise. And so here I sit, forcing myself to make bold, unqualified statements about things at which I consider myself to be very good. I am skipping the numbered list format, just this once, because it isn't important how
many items I come up with, simply that I
do.
I am good at knowing myself; knowing my limits, projecting how I am likely to react in a given situation, and planning accordingly.
I am a natural athlete.
I throw myself whole-heartedly into my passions.
I am good at letting others know where my personal boundaries are and I am good at saying no when necessary.
I am great at eating. (I know, I know, I wasn't supposed to do that. But I couldn't help myself. I was raised to consider this a great skill.)
I am great at keeping others' secrets.
I am good at bending the rules just a touch to suit my own purposes while still continuing to be a generally rule-abiding, productive citizen.
I am strong and determined.
I have a great track record for creating cute offspring. One for one so far!
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?...
......................................................
...And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
—Marianne Williamson
Your turn! What are
you great at?
