Personal Strengths

"The ultimate goal should be doing your

best and enjoying it."

Peggy Fleming

It is important to discover our personal skills and not take them for granted.  To recognize we have a gift helps us to follow a directed path.  Unfortunately, we often know our specialty, but out of some need, set it aside for something different.  At early ages, we display an ability recognized by adults who then either support and courage or discourage and block our intentions.

There is a story of a successful blind man born into a very poor family.  While attending a community gathering as a child, he found himself playing incredible piano scores.  His peers did not discourage him based on the fact that he was blind.  They gathered donations and gifted the family with an old and out of tune piano.   

There are examples of musicians who had started playing or singing in their church choir and how the church or community advanced their opportunities. The same is true of athletes who had been noticed at an early age and trained by caring adults.  Unfortunately, these are exceptions.  Stories of those who were forced into a father's business, groomed from childhood, or pressured into more recognized careers not accenting personal gifts, denies an inner expression which could have been harvested.

When we recognize we have a particular skill and we do not have an arena to display it, we can cultivate it on our own.  Through time, we can increase our skill finding great joy and passion.  The importance is in honoring the gifts we have received.  There are those who claim they do not have any such gifts, but it would be more accurate to say these folks have actually taken their strength for granted or minimized its worth. The skill does not have to be perfected, as the goal is to enjoy it.