THE GIFT OF YOU
Last weekend, I spoke to a women’s group for their Christmas dinner event. My topic was called “The Gift of You.” Every time I do this talk, whether it is during the holidays or another time of year, I get the same response each time. In essence, audience members wonder “Do I really see myself as a gift to others?”
For this particular group, after I finished my talk, I had them go around their tables sharing how each woman was a gift to others. Do you think it was an easy task for them to do? No, it was not. As one woman put it, “It’s a lot easier saying how others are a gift in my life, but it’s hard when the focus is on me.”
So why is it so difficult for you to see how you are a gift to others? Here is what I noticed in my own life and lives of others over the years:
1. Too much focus is on performance. If you can’t do something perfect or well, you have nothing to offer.
2. You rely on people and circumstances to define who you are by what you do. I call these ‘externals.’ These externals will wind up disappointing you because they shift and change like the wind.
3. Your childhood environment plays a huge role in your confidence level as an adult. Whether you grew up in the shadow of another sibling, were spoiled and didn’t have to learn responsibility, or other circumstances, they play a part in how you view yourself today.
WAYS TO START SEEING YOURSELF AS A GIFT TO OTHERS:
1. Think about your personality and characteristics. Find the positive. (It’s so easy to be self-critical!) What have others commented to you. Ask for input if you’re stuck from those who really know you personally and/or professionally. Try to come up with your positive qualities by yourself first. “Know thyself.”
2. Take note throughout your day of your interactions with others. What ‘theme’ do you notice about yourself?
3. Notice the people and circumstances that give you energy where you walk away feeling positive. This helps show you how you are a gift-it brings out your true values and qualities.
Live Out Loud and Merry Christmas!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
sounds like a very wonderful theme to remind women of their special qualities.
Hi Lynn! I think for me, it's not so hard to come up with positive qualities, but then if I, for whatever reason, were to begin to tell others what they are, I begin to wonder if others really see me that way, or if I don't truly know myself. For example, I've always found myself to be very amusing, but until recently, there were very few people that actually thought I was funny. My husband and my best girlfriend, even have said that I'm not funny. (Though my girlfriend has since changed her mind on that one.) So you see, I can come up with many positive gifts that I bring to the table, but sometimes, I think, we run into the problem of being conditioned not to think too highly of ourselves. At least that's been my experience. Thanks for sharing. It's nice to be back here.
stopping by to sy "howdy" hope you have a good week.
Post a Comment