Finding Our Gifts

In my upcoming book, Descendant, the main character, Abby, has two special gifts: the ability to heal others and the ability to see bits and pieces of life from the past, present, and occasionally the future.  Both gifts were passed down from her relatives, along with a colorful, and somewhat scary legacy.

I think we all have a special ability. Or two. Or three or lots. Whatever that gift is, it’s something we do well. Not necessarily better than everyone else, but just something we’re specifically good at, and which makes us happy. Something we enjoy. And those abilities help us to do things that no one else can do. They help us to create things, and find ways to share our gifts with others. They help us become the best version of ourselves.

The problem is that most people don’t realize they have this ability, whatever it is. Nor do they know how to use the power lying dormant inside them.

Don’t you think that’s sad? I do. I think that everyone deserves to know their potential, and we should all have the opportunity to try to reach for it.

So today, I would love to hear about your special gift. What is one thing you’re really good at? And what awesome potential might that unleash in you? I don’t care how meaningless or stupid you think it is, I want to hear about it.   

Aaaaannnnd…GO!

Being and Becoming

This weekend I heard a really great quote that I think pertains to, well, everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, really, or what is your religion, profession, life goal, this quote works for all of us.

“We become what we want to be by being what we want to become.” ~Richard G. Scott (a Mormon apostle)

The person who shared the quote called it a riddle, but I’m thinking that’s about as clear a statement as they get. If I want to be a good mom, be a good mom (in every way possible for ME). If I want to be beautiful, be beautiful (in action, deed, self confidence—every way under my control). If I want to have a thousand friends, be a friend to a thousand people. If I want to be a bestselling author, act like I already am one. Write every day, and submit like acceptance is just around the corner.

In other words, look to the future and see where I want to be in a year—or five, ten, fifteen years—and I put myself there. Act accordingly.

In other words, I stand up and stand out.

So there you go. A quote to live by. My good deed for the day is done. Carry on.

*Don't miss out on your chance to win a prize simply for doing a good deed.

Clichés for Kids (or Inspiration for Graduates)

Make a goal

Change your mind

Break the rules

Create new ones

Forge a path

Blaze a trail

Spread your wings

Fly for the clouds

And then…

Shoot for the stars.

And if—for some reason—you don’t reach the star for which you were aiming, that’s totally okay. There are bazillions of stars in the galaxy, and you only need to claim one. They’re all bright and colorful, and somewhere, one is waiting for you to catch it—it belongs to you, and you alone.

The only question left is which one will it be?

Do They Know?

After last week’s discussion about encouraging—rather than discouraging—our children in their creative efforts, I started to wonder. Do my kids know how much faith I have in them? Do they truly understand what they can do if they really commit themselves?

My kids aren’t little anymore. In fact, they’re on the cusp of adulthood. As they make this transition, will they spread their wings and take off? Or will they burrow into a hole and be afraid of the desires of their hearts?

Granted, most of us end up somewhere in the middle and walk into adulthood on legs—and there’s nothing wrong with that. But I have to wonder. If we knew—really, truly knew—our own potential when we were teens, would we have chosen to walk? Or would we have run? Or maybe found wings?

I don’t know the answer to that particular what if, and I have no regrets. I love where I am in life. But I wonder about my kids. Do they know what they can do?

I don’t know for sure one way or another. But I can help them realize their potential. I can help them find the things they love most in life and excel at them.

I—their mother—have the power to give my children the ability to fly. I just have to remember to use it.

So there you have it. This week’s profound parenting thought.

*Don’t forget to stop by my book review blog and see my review of a fab new book, Perilous by Tamara Heart Heiner and enter to win one of several fantabulous prizes, including a Kindle!