Encaustic Painting in Big Sur
Identify Your Natural Gifts
Maybe your friends admire you as the world’s best mix CD maker. Maybe you have an uncanny ability to come up with exactly what everybody owes when a large group splits the dinner bill. Perhaps you’ve always been a speed reader and can dash through three books a day with perfect comprehension. Or you can cook a gourmet meal with whatever is in the fridge, with no shopping list, no recipe, and lots of creativity. Maybe you’re ridiculously skilled at memorizing every song lyric you’ve ever heard or you can whip up the meanest cup of coffee or you’ve got the world’s greenest thumb. What comes naturally to you? What are those gifts? Are you utilizing them to your full potential?
No One’s Going To Give You A Medal For Doing What’s Hard
So often, we spin our wheels spending our time doing what we think we should do, rather what fully utilizes our gifts. Chances are, if someone had counseled me to ask that question honestly when I was younger, I probably would have avoided medical school. The classes I had to take to become a doctor were the exact opposite of what came easily. Writing has always been as natural and easy as breathing to me, whereas calculus, physics, biochemistry, pharmacology- forget it! Taking those classes was like pulling teeth from my authentic self. Sure, I could do it. But my new motto in life is “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Sure, if I worked hard enough, I could make straight A’s in math and science. But was I a natural? No way! So I spent twelve years struggling to accomplish something that didn’t come naturally to me. Why? I’m not really sure. I think I thought life was supposed to be hard and that doing what comes easily was a cop-out. But I find that life feels so much more authentic and my mojo is much more jazzed if I’m spending my time doing what comes naturally to me- writing, painting, being a Mom, and counseling clients about how to get their mojo back.
What about you? Do you engage in work and activities that come easily to you, or are you always pushing yourself to stray far from your comfort zone? I used to do that. I think I wore my martyrdom as a badge of honor. Why would you do what comes naturally when you could struggle forth, like a soldier in battle? But that’s how your authentic self gets worn down. If you’re never giving yourself mojo shots from your authentic self, it’s no wonder your mojo weakens.
Find Ways to Incorporate What Comes Easily Into Your Life
Try boosting your mojo by identifying what you’re really good at, how you really love to spend your time, what allows you to stop struggling and start being YOU. Once you’ve identified what that is, can you figure out a way to spend more of your time doing what you’re good at and less time struggling to be something you’re not? In my past life, I used to do a lot of surgery- hysterectomies, C-sections, tying tubes- stuff like that. While I was good at it, operating always totally stressed me out. I thought I was supposed to be a surgeon. After all, I trained to be a surgeon, my patients expected me to operate, and it’s what an OB/GYN is supposed to do, right?
What I realized is that I can craft my life any way I choose. What did I like most about being an OB/GYN? What was I best at? Talking, relating, listening, being fully present for my patients, inspiring them to seek better, healthier lives. So I quit operating and focused my practice on what I’m good at. And I started Owning Pink, where I get to virtually talk, relate, listen, and be fully present while helping Pinkies find their mojo. I’m so happier since I chose to change my life.
What about you? How might you alter your life to reflect your most authentic self? Be creative. Think outside the box. Write about it in your journal. Meditate on it. You never know what might happen when you let your authentic self come out to play…. Now go find your bliss, Pinkies!
Doing what comes naturally,
Lissa
Tags: bliss, encaustic, life coaching, mojo
Hallelujah & Amen! Not to say you shouldn’t do what’s hard/scary, but imagine what life would be like if we focused on what we loved to do – what came naturally & was joyful to us! I think that’s part of what I like about coaching: the part where I know my natural tendencies make me a good coach, & the parts that are challenging to me (like keeping my trap shut & ensuring that the client talks more than me) that aspire me to get better. It’s a challenge that I like & that gives me energy – I think that’s key too. If it’s something that drains you, heed the red flag!
Thank you Michelle! Yes, I’m with you there. Nothing wrong with taking risk or doing hard/scary things, but if you’re like me, you’ve spent your whole life avoiding what comes easily, while focusing ONLY on hard and scary! The more we settle into work that doesn’t feel like working, the closer we get to our authentic self.
What a wonderful reminder to take note and acknowledge our gifts.
How many times do people dismiss their accomplishments and abilities? When complimented for doing something well, do you reply, “It’s nothing.”
In the past, I felt that because I was easily able to do something, it was of less value. I’ve learned to acknowledge the compliment with a simple thank you. This honours both parties.
Thanks for reminding us to look inside our jewellry box for all the gems that we may have forgotten or not known that we possess.
Thank you Marianna. Yes, I felt the same. It was as if struggling for blood, sweat & tears made me more worthy. What a silly martyr I was! In truth, we bless the world when we put our natural gifts out there in love.
Ironic, isn’t it that what is natural within us is often not identified as a ‘gift’? Our true identities oftentimes are difficult to uncover, as we tend to accummulate many layers of pseudo-identities and behaviours.
I’ve always loved animals and nature and have felt a deep connection to them. Although I have been involved in many projects/causes to help both throughout my adult life, I deviated from pursuing my true passion, what comes easily for me;
that is, looking after the well being and protection of animals and nature.
So, finally I’m taking the steps to break free from the rat race, the tedious soul-draining environs. I’ve been training in attraction & internet marketing to materialize my dream of having my animal sanctuary to protect and care for as many animals as I can.
Still, in this quest, I’m struggling to define my target market to get started on being a solution provider, to implement what should be the best and most natural way to make positive differences for all.
Isn’t that the truth, Marisa! My true nature comes out in writing. I’ve been doing it since I was five and learned to hold a pencil and write poems and stories. And yet, I squashed it for a decade of medical training. Only when we reclaim what is rightfully ours to do begin to embrace our wholeness and open ourselves up to true success- JOY!
Best of luck creating your animal sanctuary. If there’s anything Owning Pink can do to help you manifest your dream, please don’t hesitate to ask.
With love
Lissa
Thank you, Lissa. I appreciate your kindness and offer. Your true nature is a gift to the Universe. You are making a major PINK difference in the world! I feel most fortunate to know you. Our connecting via Twitter was no coincidence.
Con afecto,
Marisa
I no longer believe in coincidence, Marisa. Too many magical things that might be written off as coincidence have happened to me lately. I now see these serendipitous events as reminders of our Master Plan, little miracles that happen every day.
I agree. There’s no such thing as coincidence. That’s why I wrote “Our connecting via Twitter was no coincidence”. Everything happens for a reason. We are active players.
LOVE this post! I read book last year called “The Truth about You” – seriously changed the way I think about things – you’d enjoy it! I blogged about it last year: http://theprettypeacock.blogspot.com/2008/12/book-that-has-got-me-thinking.html Let me know your thoughts!