You're more special than you realize.
Can you see it?
I find it was interesting that we are often too close to see things objectively.
Our gifts and talents, so innate and natural to us, seem small and insignificant. We think, “If I can do this, surely everyone must be able to do it.”
Our values, the things that are important to us, aren’t as universal as we feel they should be.
In short, we are not like everyone else.
You are not like everyone else.
I am not like everyone else.
What a gift.
And what a responsibility.
Because each of us sees the world differently, because each of us has different skills and talents and gifts and values, because each of us has had different experiences, there’s no one in the world who can do what we can do the way we can do it.
It’s both humbling and thrilling.
But it’s something I have to remind myself of often.
One of my biggest needs is to feel seen.
And it’s interesting because I’m pretty good at seeing others.
I can’t help it; it’s just how I’m wired.
(If you’ve got an understanding of Human Design, you won’t be surprised to learn I’m a Projector.)
And because I have this natural ability to see people, and I’ve worked on my communication skills so I can share with others what I see and value and appreciate in them, part of me feels like it’s obvious and universal.
Because if I can do it, surely everyone else must be able to do it too.
And when others don’t extend these gifts in return, it’s so easy for me to feel slighted. To assume it’s a choice they’re making to purposely NOT see me. To jump to the conclusion that I must not matter to them after all.
Even though it’s not true.
In the moment, it feels very much true.
Sometimes it looks like someone close to me not recognizing and voicing appreciation for something I did for them. (It could be that they didn’t actually notice. Or it could be that it wasn’t something they recognized as a gesture of service or an act of love.)
Or sometimes it looks like this: I’ve just spent 90 minutes in an anti-gravity float, and settle in to journal in the relaxation lounge. There are signs around instructing people to please be quiet. And others come into the room and talk with their friends, despite the signs and that I’m there, clearly focused on what I’m doing.
I used to get really angry at how rude I felt people were being. And one day I realized they weren’t trying to be rude. It simply was that they didn’t see me.
So I’ve been learning to give myself what I most need from others. To see and value myself for who I am, to appreciate my gifts and strengths and magic.
Because if I can’t see myself, there’s no guarantee anyone else will be able to see me.
As you might expect, my journal has been really important in this process, the place where I can practice seeing myself. Where I can recognize what makes me special. Where I can pinpoint the gifts I have and determine how I’m going to use them for good.
Sometimes I write a love letter to myself. 💌
And other times, I make a list of what I appreciate about myself.
Not only does it feel good in the moment, but I’m creating a record that I can go back to as often as needed, especially on days when I don’t feel seen.
And it reminds me that my bundle of gifts and strengths are unique to me. That they aren’t universal.
And that gives me an opportunity to truly shine as I use them for good.
The world needs each of us to embrace our gifts, to take responsibility for how we use them, to help and support each other using the strengths we have.
Because we’re all just walking each other home.
Doing the work is easier when we do it together.
Each week in our Journaling for Growth membership community, we support and strengthen each other on our journeys.
Through both solo reflection and the opportunity to share and learn in community, we are learning deeper, faster, and stronger than we can on our own.
We hold space for each other to do the work of learning and loving who we are.
And if you’re ready to go on this journey, we’re here to walk you home. 💛
This Week’s Journal Prompts:
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week. And know that I’m always here to support you and answer questions you have along the way!
What are your strengths, gifts, talents, and values?
Do people around you recognize and honor them?
Do YOU recognize and honor your gifts?
How do you use them for good?
How do you see and value yourself?
How do you remember that what’s innate and natural to you isn’t universal?
Happy Journaling!
Seeing ourselves is the first step. Otherwise we keep waiting. Loved this piece.