For the longest time I thought humility meant never complimenting yourself. That to admit you have strengths would be prideful. So when someone complimented me, I ignored them. Or I would try to prove them wrong. I know now it’s important to know your strengths! But how do you figure out what they are?
Your strengths make you unique. Different than the person next to you.
In order to see your strengths, you have to see your quirks.
When I was little I remember running errands with my dad and he would end up having long, random conversations with people. Friends, people he knew from work, and especially strangers! It would drive me crazy! I mean, we didn’t even know this person and he had been talking to them in the middle of Walmart for 10 minutes!!
Well little did I know that I am exactly like him (my poor future kids!). I have people randomly start talking to me all the time. Once when I was grocery shopping a man randomly starting telling me all about his power washing business he owned and started giving me business tips for 15 minutes! I don’t even own a business!!
When it first started happening, I had that thought we all have had at one point “Oh no! I’m turning into my quirky dad (or insert other parent)!”. After it happened a few times, I had to wonder why strangers felt comfortable enough around me to start chatting about their lives.
I finally realized it was not a quirk, it was a strength.
It is a strength because people feel comfortable around me.
They feel so comfortable around me they start opening up to me even though we may have only known each other 5 minutes. And I actually and honestly enjoy it. I enjoy giving people encouragement or (when they ask for it) advice. I am awful at small talk and I love thinking I brightened up someone’s day! Or even was a listening ear when they desperately needed someone to listen.
So what are your quirks? My husband loves going to thrift stores and finding something to flip and sell. That’s a strength! It shows he looks for the good and true value in everything. My friend loves to garden and she spends every evening making her front and backyard beautiful. That’s a strength! It shows patience and hard work.
Start noticing your “quirks” because they may not be quirks at all! They may be your strengths.
Constance Douglas 