You Do That Way Better Than I Do: Seeing Their Strength and Embracing Your Gifts

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I have been pretty quiet today as I organized important paperwork, made some phone calls and basically took care of pressing business- oh, and there's more to do, of course!  Still, as is my usual way, I take more breaks when I am trying to get work done than any other time.  I spent my break times reading blogs and catching up on some of my private community groups.  This thought came to mind a couple of times, "I wish I could write like that" and "I wish I could share more like that", and "You do that way better than I do!"

I really admire the inspiration, the brave sharing, and the heart that is behind the posts I read.  And I had to catch that last thought of , "You do that way better..."  When I am moved by something I


read I recognize that there is something authentic, vulnerable, and resonating that the writer was able to convey.  It's easy to get into a comparing mind set, which is the completion of that last thought, "better than I do."  When I caught myself comparing and basically telling myself, "look at you, yours is not good enough", I let myself experience the immediate feeling of disappointment in myself.  Then I gave myself some tough love.  This was not just about being impressed by others' blogs and being under-impressed by mine.  No, this was about having a mountain of feelings about a bazillion things that matter and not being able to put the right words to it.  Also, it was about all the near complete written works that were waiting for me when all I have to do is show up.

I talk about "showing up" as a way to be my authentic self, my best self, and my most loved and loving self.  So, in my tough love speech to myself, I said, "Self, you are pushing away the very things you want to accomplish by comparing yourself.  You want to write, so write as best you can.  You want to share your messages, then share as honestly as possible.  You want to excel in your work as a researcher and an academic, keep taking the steps that move you closer to that.  You  want to complete project A, study B, plan C, then, stop resisting the very things that move you along.  You see the strengths in others all the time, now recognize your strengths and embrace your gifts!"

I accept that I don't have to be a blogging superstar... (maybe a blogging rock star in a year? hehe)... And maybe I will never get special awards for the work I do in my research, but I accept that my natural gifts are actually pretty amazing- you'd have to sit with me for the full effect or just trust me!  You can actually trust me though, I've been in the field of social work and psychology for a very long time and I am still learning and improving the way I personally practice psychology and social work.


So, have you checked yo' self?  

Have you caught your monkey-mind thinking unhelpful thoughts?  Have you given yourself a Tough Love Talk?  Are you taking action now to get going in the direction of your dreams/goals/aspirations?   




Wishes of Kindness & Embracing Your Gifts,
~Vicky