When preparing my speech for Blogpodium in Toronto, I was asked to include how I stay authentic.
Hmm… I had to think about that one. I mean, the love of junk has a good strong hold on me, and if I go too off course with certain stuff, I don’t feel the love.
Is there more to it than that? Was my speech over before it started?! 🙂
But then it all clicked together.
When I took a course at my church on discovering your God given talents (Gifted and Called Seminars) and how to utilize them, we filled out a booklet, answering anything and everything about you.
At the end of the course, we were to add up all the numbers in the individual columns, which would deem your personality style, what you liked to do, and what you tended to run away from.
I admit I was feeling a little smug. I thought I had this down and was ready to haul it on out for an early coffee break. Creativity was totally going to be my #1, so I’d need to do something with that! No brainer. Where’s the cream…
But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
TEACHING was my #1 highest score.
Creativity was my last.
* jaw drop *
After I got over the initial shock (insult? haha), I mulled it all over with a comfort coffee by my side.
It was then that I realized I had more work to do. This was a guide. A direction. A fresh focus.
I was very quite simply meant to do a little more than play with rusty junk.
And I’d have to break out of a LOT of comfort zones!
That’s when I spun my focus on speaking and teaching.
But I would be tested many times over with other opportunities. I mean, what’s the magic formula here? How do you ultimately know when you’re accepting the right opportunities for you when you’re really just firing things up?
You don’t. Not always.
And that’s when I put pen to paper, and started writing my mantra and reason why I blog TODAY.
“I know what it’s like to be without.
I want to encourage anyone that thinks they can’t have or do something, that they’re wrong. They can.
Through creativity, ability and self confidence. And I’m going to show them how, even if I don’t know how.
Because I have enough faith in myself and God to get the job done, with honesty and integrity.
And I’m going to love every minute of it!”
Can I get an AMEN to that?!
Dream Box Building challenge #3:
Write out your mantra. For your work, life, and whatever else.
You’ll forevermore have a guide on what to do next.
Visit what dream box building is all about HERE
Visit all dream box building updates HERE
Thank-you to these sweet gals at Crafty Affaire for allowing me to have you in this photo shoot! You are gorgeous!
And to Zoe Brown Photography for capturing our joy filled day!
I love your stories of being authentic and true to yourself. They give me a boost of energy, and insight to finding myself. I love crafting and painting scenic pictures. Though it has been a while since I painted, I am going to get back to it. I found it to be my most relaxing thing to do—especially when fall arrives–all those beautiful colors!
Yesterday I got a new look—well, at least I started, by getting my hair cut & styled. Today I will start exercising and eating right. I have a doctor who loves writing out prescriptions, in which cause severe weight gain. Well, no more of those pills for me. They were adding risks to my health that I didn’t have before. I hate pill pushing doctors! They get richer while their patients get sicker! Anyways, I am changing all that.
You gave me insight to what I truly want in life, and that’s to CREATE beautiful things! NOT sit back and dine on pills and watch life pass me by! Thank you for your inspirations. 😀
Being courageous enough to be authentic combined with your willingness to share makes you a great teacher. Thank you! I love your creations and your daring combos. You are the one who sort of gave me “permission” to dare to be funky in my own house. Outside, my pallet wood walkway is looking good 🙂
If you ever decide to teach the class you took at your local church via the web, count me in!
Lily, you made me smile so! Thank-you!
I’ve summoned for help on what that class was called and where they are traveling to. Stay tuned in an upcoming 31 Day post for that info! I’m not qualified to teach that particular class but you can bet I could pull off one with my own slant… 🙂
I’d be interested in that talent test…..:)
Hi Tammie, the course is called Gifted and Called Seminar, with the link now in the post. It was a real eye opener!
How interesting…teaching came up as #1. For years I have painted fun signs for people, I loved it and people were actually paying me for my art but in the last year it stopped being fun. I couldn’t go out to my studio and just paint what I felt like painting. I don’t know why it stopped being fun but it did. Then I started to do painting tutorials on my blog/website and making videos to go with it and though I am terrible with the videoing I really enjoy it. I enjoy teaching how I paint and the feedback from so many saying how they have wanted to paint but didn’t think they could and now with my tutorials they do think they could and want to try it, is so very uplifting. I know the enjoyment that can come from being able to create beautiful things and decorative painting can be so therapeutic and now I think I have found my new thing, teaching painting via my blog and YouTube channel. So I totally get what you are saying here. And I give you that AMEN.
AMEN Sista!! You really must put those adorable toolbox kits in your online shop! I gotta have one!!! Have a great weekend.
yes, you can get an Amen sister!! 😉
WoW—maybe I need to take that test too. I wonder if I would discover I am doing/focusing on the wrong thing! Is there a source so very far away from you to take that test–??
Catherine
Hi Catherine! The course was called Gifted and Called Seminar. I’ve included the link in the post!
This is a great story on being authentic and true to yourself. Something I do struggle with. Especially the being confident in yourself. I am learning each day to appreciate the gifts and talents God has given me, even if they aren’t what I thought they would be. Go figure, right? haha I’m learning that I don’t have to come up with an original idea, that it is ok to take an idea and improvise and make it my own. That is one gift God has given me. Besides, is there really an “original” idea out there? Thank you for being such an inspiration.
I don’t think there is a more “authentic” blogger out there! You are the real deal. As far as the teaching part goes, that’s how I see you in Blogtalk…you are the one trying to provide the answers and guide those in need in the right direction. I need a mantra…and I try to stay true to me as well. You’re an excellent roll model. I don’t always comment, but I read it all. 🙂
I was so excited to read this post. I get hung up on making decisions all the time! This is a bit pathetic, but I can’t figure out what my mantra is?!?! Talk about being stuck! LOL. Any suggestions? Your posts bring me much enjoyment!
Hey Norma! Just think about what you wish to do with your life. You don’t have to know it all now of course. Just a path. A mantra helps keep you balanced on at least the right road. 🙂