Have you ever considered that perhaps giving your family the gift of a happy mom, a fulfilled mom, a mom who is willing to step out in faith, a mom who works in her strengths however they take shape, is one of the greatest ways to show your family how much you love them?
Do I hear your inner naysayer already pooh-poohing the idea?
Fulfillment? Pshaw. I am filled. Full. To the brim with all kinds of things that keep me very busy.
Working in my strengths? I work hard every day. What more is there?
Well, I ask you to consider that even though Christmas is over, there is more, a gift or two that you haven’t opened.
You know which ones I’m talking about.
The ones that call to you, that lovingly invite you on a new and scary exciting journey.
The cool ones like you thought everyone else got.
The ones you may not have noticed, or you may be afraid to open, for fear they are just empty, or that will take you to a place far beyond your comfort zone.
I’m talking about your strengths, those talents, those abilities and skills, those activities that make the hours fly by and your heart sing with joy, that make you feel you are a living a life that matters.
Please understand that I am not saying that being a mom does not matter. It matters tremendously. What I am saying is that whatever you do, you need to make it the best fit possible.
Not sure where to start? You can just take a baby step at a time, and start with the suggestions below.
Read a book
You can pick something to read from the collection I have gathered for you below, and bring your children along for the ride as well.
Take a test
You can take the StrengthsFinder 2.0
Hire a coach
You can hire a coach. I wrote about my gratifying experience here, with Joel of 4 Points Coaching. It is really no different than hiring any other professional, like an accountant or carpenter. There is no shame in not knowing how to get something done. There is shame and a little too much pride, perhaps, when we are not willing to admit to our lack of know-how.
Answer some questions
Not ready to take the step of hiring a coach? You can take advantage of these resources from Joel’s site. Be sure to download the “What do they know” PDF worksheet, and have both you and several family members answer them as well. I hope that your experience is as affirming as mine was.
Recognizing and using your gifts and strengths is just so much more fulfilling, empowering and productive than being jealous of what everyone else has received.
I encourage you to begin today, to reveal the treasure that you truly are.
What is the next step you are going to take? Please share in the comments below.
Note-Part of my inspiration today was a recent post over at The Power of Moms, A Happy Mother is a Very Nice Gift
Sharing at No Ordinary Blog Hop
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Happy New Year Kim,
Thank you for such kind words.
It was a delight to be your coach and to have a front-row seat, in watching the real Kim come to life.
As we went through the process, I had a sneaking suspicion that you would be birthing something remarkable within yourself, that would then move quickly up, down, and throughout your family tree.
Something truly amazing happens when women learn to get in touch with their best features and enduring qualities and embrace who they truly are.
Have a wonderful day.
The pleasure was mine, Joel! The ripples continue to flow, as both girls and the son in law have all received promotions (1 in November, 2 in January), and Keith as well has been presented with an opportunity we are exploring. What positive changes we have all seen since last January!
off to explore the link strength finder sounds very interesting:). I find all my energies are wrapped up with my kids that I forget about me
Great words
Thanks for linking up to the NOBH
I hope you take the Strengths Finder to discover things about yourself that you may just not have realized. I love all the additional information the test provides, as well, such as action steps and ideas to leverage those strengths. My sympathies-it is too easy to get wrapped up in kids, volunteerism, whatever, and forget that we need to refresh and grow as well. Thanks for coming by, Anna-Marie.
Twitter: HappyWivesClub
says:
This is great, Kim! I’ve only known you as being “too darn happy” so it’s interesting to learn a part of your journey. I truly believe life is completely different when you wake up inspired by life. Inspired to do what God created you to do. My mother was an author and so although writing has always come naturally to me I’ve pushed it away for most of my early adult years because I wanted to create my own path in life. But I realized that operating in my gift brings about a joy like none other and so that’s what I do and I’m “so darn happy” every day I don’t know what to do with myself :). My husband also noticed a major difference in my joy once I “gave in” to writing. What a blessing.
I love hearing about women who have figured out what it is they love to do, and are using those strengths, whether as a career, or as part of their mothering, such as being a homeschooling teacher. It is so uplifting! As you have noted, your hubbie noticed a major difference in your joy. What a gift for you and for him!
Inspiring post, Kim! Thank you for sharing with us the treasure that you are!
Stepping out in faith and working in our strengths…a powerful, beautiful combination indeed!
My prayer is that each mother would indeed reveal – and relish – that treasure,
finding fulfillment, blessings others and glorifying God all the while!
What a lovely prayer, Caroline, to reveal and relish the treasure within!
This post was great for me to read today. Sometimes, I struggle with guilt over the time that I have been putting in to my writing (something that is just for me), but for so many years, I just gave everything I had (and then some) to the kids and it left me feeling depleted. Last year, when I started writing, I started to feel energized and like I was getting a piece of myself back. Today as some reviews of my first published book began to trickle in, it was exhilarating! I am so glad that I stepped out in faith and pursued something just for me because it helps me to be better able to bless my family.
Sharla, that is great that you published! I hear from a lot of moms that it is so difficult to take time for themselves (it was a real tough thing for me as well when the girls were young), that they feel guilty just as you described. It is always a dance of prioritizing our lives, and making sure that the important things get the attention-our relationships, especially. Think about what a role model you set for your children as well, about doing what you love and hitting a goal. How wonderful that is!