During the activity I chatted with several women who were sitting with me at the table. The common topic of every conversation was "I'm not crafty." For anyone who really knows me, you'll know that being creative is extremely daunting to me. I can often be found having a nervous breakdown when put in a room with beads or a sewing machine. (This is not a joke!)
Well, it just so happened that at this activity, I found that many of these women feel similarly to me. Our table-wide conversation started to become a "one-up" competition; each of us trying to prove that we really are the least skilled or the least crafty.
I didn't think anything of it at the time it was happening, but when I went home I kept thinking (and am still thinking) "Why do we do this!?"
Why is there this constant need to put ourselves down or downplay our abilities? I sincerely have a hard time being crafty. I honestly don't think it will ever become a passion of mine - but I really enjoy the feeling of completing a project and being able to say "I made this!"
So, I decided that for at least today, I'm going to think of things that I am good at. Everyone has skills and abilities. Yours may not be the same as mine, but you have them and they make up who you are!
So, I challenge anyone who reads this to make a list of things that you are good at! It doesn't have to be public like mine - you can just think it or write in on a piece of paper. It's easy to compare ourselves with those around us and to focus solely on our deficiencies. I really think it's okay to understand your limitations. At the same time, I think it's important to, every once and a while, remind yourself why you are awesome - because you are!
Georgia O'Keeffe once said: "You get whatever accomplishment you are willing to declare."
So with that - here's my list:
I am great at cleaning and organizing
This is the kind of stuff that makes me tick. My favorite aisles in any store? Cleaning & Office Supplies. My husband doesn't let me go down the office aisle because he knows he'll have to drag me away. When I am shopping, no matter what it is, my immediate thought when I see something in the store is "Where will this go?" It could be a carton of eggs or new board game, but it doesn't come home with me if I can't figure out where I am going to put it.
I am patient
I feel like I have always been a patient person (except for when it comes to opening presents on Christmas morning). I don't get bothered easily, I am fine waiting for things (even at the DMV!), & even during hard times I am a pretty positive, optimistic person. Now that I have a new baby, I feel like I have an even deeper degree of patience.
I am forgiving
Last night, my husband stepped on my pinky toe and it hurt REALLY badly. But the first thing out of my mouth was "it's okay, it's okay!" as I ran to the couch and curled up into the fetal position clutching my toe. This is a silly example - but I think it really illustrates how I feel when someone "wrongs me." I don't hold grudges very often, and when I do they're not for very long at all. I feel like I am quick to forgive and along with that - I am also quick to admit my own fault. I remember a night at a friend's house. I was telling a story and my husband corrected me about something and I said "Yeah, you're right, I was wrong. Sorry." The other husband heard me say that and turned to his wife and asked, "Did you hear that!? She admits when she's wrong!" It was just a silly comment made in jest, but it made me feel good to know I was doing something that someone else found admirable.
I am a good cook
I write this one down because it's a skill I am working on and so part of me hopes if I write it down it will become more true (positive affirmations, right?). Seriously though, when I got married, I didn't even know how to scramble eggs. Now I can plan a full meal and have people asking me for my recipes! I'm far from ever auditioning for Master Chef, but I have perfected the Snickerdoodle, let me tell you. :)
I sing well
I have been singing and performing for people since I was a very little girl. I was in choir for years and took private voice lessons. I started out majoring in music in college, but eventually switched. I love music and I really enjoy singing.
These are just a few "skills" I have to list. What are your skills?
I know so many amazing women (and men!) and so I thought instead of just highlighting myself, I'd point out some qualities I recognize in other people:
My mom is the most compassionate person I have ever met in my life. She is so willing to serve and help others, it's ridiculous. She is so bubbly and full of life it is impossible to not catch that spirit when you are around her. Another thing about my mom is she's responsible. I'm not talking about "Yes, I turned the oven off before I left the house" responsible. I'm talking about staying at work, clocked out for the day, but still working because she feels that sense of accountability to get everything done before the next day. Sucks for the paycheck, but it makes me admire her for her diligence and her accountability. If my mom says she's going to do something - she does it.
My sister Kassi has had a rough life. Things just seem to not always go so smoothly for her. But she is such a strong person. When life knocks her down she gets right back up and then punches life in the face. :) She's a very loyal person. I have no doubt that she would take a bullet for the people she loves. I think if she could take on everyone else's hardships just so they don't have to suffer, she would. & I love her for that. She is an awesome big sister.
My sister Kristi has always been extremely good at "reading people." After just a small amount of time she can tell you just what makes them tick. It's probably what makes everyone feel so close to her. She's so good at making friends, because she genuinely is interested in knowing people and their lives. It's actually pretty amazing to witness her at work. I am amazed by her perceptiveness and the sympathy that she has for others.
I'm sorry I'm not going to list all my other siblings (I come from a family of 13...) that would just be too crazy! So, sorry other siblings who are reading this - if you want to email me, I'll tell you why you are awesome too! :)
My grandma is so cool. For one, she raised 6 kids all by herself. So she's not just my Grandma, she's also the Grandpa too. :P She has always been a hard worker. She worked nights as a nurse for years so that she could be home during the day for her kids. She's supported and housed her kids and grandkids on and off for years (especially the bratty ones). She loves her family. She makes you feel like you are her true "favorite" no matter which child or grandchild you are. (I really think, it's me, though - seriously.) And she makes the meanest cinnamon-sugar toast you'll ever taste. :)
My friend Jessie is one of the most "put together" ladies that I know. She is stylish, nice to everyone, fun to be around, AND she is seriously one of the best moms out there. I love watching her with her kids. She is so creative and fun when it comes to playing with her kids. Almost every status on facebook is about some fun thing she and her daughters have done. There is no doubt that she absolutely adores her kids and I know they love their mom. How could they not!?
Kelsee is a new friend of mine, but I think she is amazing. She is such a strong, positive person who sincerely cares about people. She is a skilled conversationalist. Things seem to just flow when she's around and I admire her for that because I feel so awkward the majority of the time I'm awake! She takes away so much of the awkwardness and I think that truly is a skill!
This lady is one of my BFFs. She is so much fun to be around and she always makes me feel so good about myself. Okay, enough flirting. Seriously, Anne has so many skills - she's an amazing photographer, she is great at graphic design, she's super stylish, and she's one of the friendliest people You'll ever know. I don't think I've ever met anyone with something bad to say about this girl. She's awesome.
Okay this will be my last one - but certainly not the least!
Kelly is my personal aspiration. She is good at EVERYTHING. She sings, she plays the piano, she can cook, she crafts, she's made furniture!, she takes gorgeous pictures. Basically anything that you can find on pinterest she can do it or has already done it. On top of all her amazing qualities, she's a really good friend and is so fun to be around.
Okay - Now I know as you were reading this you were thinking of your skills or people who you admire - so go make your own list! :)
