Vibrant Nation

Now that I am 51 this is what I know I possess for sure:  Integrity and Courage.

Through the years, I was told this by others; I didn't have the maturing or the self confidence to believe them.

Now I know its true and I own it.

Oh don't get me wrong--I have my vices too, plenty of them~!  But you didn't ask about those!   ;-)

I have the gift of an analytical mind and the ability to understand various points of view. As a consequence, I strive for balance based on fact. (as if you ladies couldn't tell from my posts-lol, I even considered becoming a mediator at one point in my career). I recognize this can be annoying, especially when someone [my husband] wants me to just agree with them. lol. Also, my friends say I am a good listener and a good communicator. And, true to my analytical nature, I have taken tests which confirm my traits/gifts. lol. See ladies, I don't even believe myself without facts to back me up. LOL.

I've often been told Ihave the gift of wisdom.  

My biggest gift is one I use everyday.  I'm a healer.  I express this in Massage Therapy.  I am expanding my role by attending a school that will help me help my clients better by becoming a Dr. of Natropathy.  I was a nurse for 25 years Massage is my second career, and Naturopathy my third.  All are healing.

This is a great question, because when you know your gift you can give it. It is also a question I have a hard time answering. Since I was little I loved animals, not a gift but an interest. I wanted to be a farmer, not a gift but a way to be around animals. My closest friend says I have a gift of design. I never realized that but I have always decorated my own house and enjoyed that. I am very lousy at design of myself with picking out clothes, hairstyles, etc I let other help me with that. I have been searching for my gift and I believe I found it and I am not working to make it better. I am a photographer (design of light) and I take photos of animals (a gift of love)  I do know for sure I have the gift of dealing with change and making the best of things. I do this everyday. So great question to ask as it makes you look deep at yourself so you can find your gift, and then give it.

I have always been told I have a great sense of humor. It comes in handy when there are tense moments. Well-placed humor is a great tool. What is life if we can't laugh once in a while.?

I am an encourager.  I am kind.  I have the gift of humor.  I am grateful for these gifts.  They have gotten me through hard times and wonderful times.  We are each multidimensional and our gifts are manifested as needed in our relationships and dealings with others.  I'm close to 70 and have learned I can't be all things to all people.  But I can be the best me I can be.  That is what I want for each day to do my best, whether it is babysitting grandchildren, visiting sick friends, preparing food for meals for working poor.  I just try to be me and to flow with the situation.  I've learned the gift of patience - the hard times in life taught me that.  I've learned the gift of listening and keeping my mouth shut.  I believe life is a search for meaning - and we identify and use our gifts as we move through our lives.

I've been told that I see things clearly and right to the heart of an issue.  What I need is to hone in on my ability to express what I see.  I've also learned that sometimes, people don't want to know the truth.  Because, then it can no longer rest and has to be dealt with.  Eventually.

Writing. I've known this since I was very young as it's at the core of my identity.

I'm learning tolerance.

I think this is a beautiful question to pose, Coca.  When I am "in love" with myself, I recognize many gifts.  Among them are: my creativity; a genuine respect for (and even delight in) people's uniqueness; faith in an underlying benevolent Presence and Power inherent in each of us; a love for words and creative expressions, to name a few. 

Thank you for asking! It can be such a blessing to pause and reflect on this and some times to be reminded by another.  Last night I had a conversation with a woman I do not know well, but have been with in a number of meetings.  I was sharing a little about my quandary about next steps in the work for income arena of my life. As the conversation evolved, she reflected my gifts back to me that she had recognized at those meetings.  It was so balancing as I felt the truth of what she was saying.  Her words did not stroke my ego, rather they touched my heart.  

I have been told that my greatest gift is "patience".