I have been sitting here staring at the blank computer screen for some time now wondering what to post. Ironically it seems to be a symptom of reading so many inspiring posts out there, that I end up feeling at a loss of words. Feeling like it has all been said. Ever feel like that?

Then I read week seven of “A Year with Myself” prompts which focused on strengths, and then  my friend Carrie Hensley’s post which ended with the question “how do you show up?” a light went on. It seems that so often we focus in what we need to change, either within ourselves or outside ourselves. Often this need shows up because the comparison monsters are lurking behind the crevices of one’s thoughts.

Sometimes these little monsters may serve us by motivating us. Sometimes they get in our way of seeing what is already there.

While there may be merit in creating change there is also a lot to be said for recognizing and accepting what is. I don’t mean accepting ones’ self in a “well this is me I have to accept who I am” sort of way but rather truly appreciating one’ strengths and special quirks.

Accepting who you are as a gift, and offering this gift to yourself to appreciate daily as well as to others in the way that you “show-up”.  All too often we miss what is right under our nose. The parts of ourselves that are already shining. The little things we do that continue showing up daily. Our strengths that inspire others.

Sometimes what we see as a weakness is actually a strength. But this doesn’t happen until we acknowledge these parts of ourselves. Then we can see their lessons, their purpose, or even how they motivate us.

So how do I show up and share my strengths?
By accepting my perceived “weaknesses” as tools to help me learn.
My turtle nature reminds me to slow down
On other days I do it all dancing from one project to another. While unfinished they are begun. The seed planted.

My strengths include but are not limited to:

• an ability to turn things around and extract the positives from a situation
• compassion for others (working on extending it more often to myself)
• a playful silliness that can shift a negative focus
• a playful silliness that can pullout others playful sides
• an ability to start then complete things at the last-minute
• my ability to make connections as I seemingly go off on tangents

I show up rather quietly, feeling my way through,
taking in my surroundings
grasping what to do
My once weaknesses of being quiet even hesitant, become my tools of reflection
My slow pace becomes the one that gives me the strength to push on through
creating meaning
creating joy
creating (period).

There is a common tool that Art Therapists use to explore one’s self perception called the inside outside box.

Simply portray the parts of yourself on the outside that you share with others and on the inside you put the parts of yourself that you keep hidden.  I propose that we begin to make the connections between those hidden parts and how they give us  the strength to share outwardly our gifts.