You aren't sure where you're supposed to be or what you should be doing. Well, bringing focus to what we are gifted to do or what our talents are helps us know the path on which we should step out.

So many times when we talk of talents, we think only of athletic, music, writing, or even artistic talent. But that's not the case. Each of us is talented. Talents come in many forms and fashions.

Is it easy for you to talk to others?
Do you love working with children?
Can you organize and plan well?
Are you great with numbers and spreadsheets?
Do you enjoying writing encouragement cards or letters to others?
Do you love the nitty-gritty details of a project?
Can you feel the emotions of another person when you visit with them?
Do you continually encourage and inspire others?

If you answered yes to any of the above, that's a talent. We are not all wired the same way by our Heavenly Father. And remember -- talents don't just come in big packages, they come even in the littlest of sizes.

Spend time examining yourself and getting to know your strengths and talents. It is so freeing when someone asks what your strengths are and you can actually answer. I know because I was in such a situation last week . . .

I was sitting in a meeting and out of the blue we were asked to name our top two strengths. Now before I would have gagged and thought Seriously, I don't have any. But last week I was able to say aloud and describe my top two strengths. Did it feel awkward? YES! Was it freeing? YES!

Spend some time getting to know yourself and your strengths. Write them down. Claim them.

It is so freeing!

Alene

Discover your strengths

If I were to ask you to name your strengths, could you do it?

Years ago, if you would have asked me to do the same, I would have hemmmmmed and hawwwwed around and would have been speechless. Then I would have proceeded to give you a list of all my weaknesses. Can you relate? Ooooh, I knew them well.

We all focus on our weaknesses. We try to strengthen our weakness. We let our weaknesses tell us we can't do something and feel inferior. Our weaknesses hinder us from stepping into our purpose.

But what if, just what if, we only focused on our strengths? What if we worked on strengthening our strengths and becoming better at them? What if we recognized those strengths and realized they are so important to our purpose?

My life changed when I read Now, Discover Your Strengths. You have got to get this book or any in the StrengthsFinder series. The newest one out is StrengthsFinder 2.0. Each book comes with a test that will reveal your strengths. This information is invaluable! Let me just say this, your strengths are your strengths. I've read every book and taken every test and guess what.....my strengths are still the same.


Note: Buy a new book. The book has a code you will need to take a computerized test. The timed test takes about 20 or so minutes. Make sure you have some quiet time to complete it. (I read the beginning of the book until it tells you to test, then take the test. After that the test will reveal your top 5 strengths, then I only read about those. These books give invaluable information about your strengths. If you get the StrengthsFinder 2.0 it will also send you an email with information about your strengths.)

I can't express enough how this revelation changed my life. First, I was floored that the test was so accurate. Second, I was excited to know I had strengths. (silly, I know!) And third, I was amazed that what I thought were weaknesses in my life were actually strengths; I was just looking at them wrong.

Knowing those strengths has helped me realize that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139) with strengths and weaknesses. And when I focus on those strengths and move toward areas where I can use them more freely then I know I'm living more on-purpose.

Are you ready to know your strengths?

Get the book, take the test, and then let me know your top 5 strengths.

Alene

This time of year always cracks me up! People vow to change & keep the same New Year's Resolutions they made last year, again!

Someone commented yesterday that this was the first time people had read their bibles consecutively for 7 days in a row since last January!

Not me, I was just finishing up my advent Bible reading plan ;-)

What?

So, it took me a little longer than most, it was the first thing I finished this year. (New Year's Resolution #5: Finish what I start.)

The gyms are filled morning and evening, church attendance is up & dessert sales are down!

                 But, as with every year, that usually only lasts a month or so. Whatever your resolutions are, they usually involve becoming a better "you".

                                                                                                                             I have tried every year & usually fail miserably.

                I am pretty good at keeping short & sweet goals; "run to that tree"(instead of "lose 5 pounds"), "pick up one thing" (instead of "clean the whole house"), "reply to one e-mail" (instead of "have a  nervous breakdown"). You get the picture ...

                But this year it's different, I really am going to change, because I figured out the secret... Instead of focusing on changing "Me", focus on being the change I want to see. I keep hearing the repeated message "if you lead, others will follow". We've all heard the concept before, but are we doing it?

For example, the most challenging goal I've ever set is "to Change The World"

               But how do you break that down into bite-size, mini-goals? One week, one day, one act at a time!

So that is what I am doing setting realistic, reachable "short & sweet" (literally) goals to change the world! (Join an outreach at church, feed the homeless, spread awareness on a personal passion, make someone smile!) This is one we can all make & keep!

               All day long, I have been singing a song that resounds from my childhood, "Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with Me", yet in my mind, it changes to "Let there be CHANGE on earth, and let it begin with me!" I am making realistic goals to change the world, one day at a time, one life at a time , and maybe, just maybe, we can help someone else  have~                                     

                                                                                                                                               A NEW START, Again!

That's it! Please God. Not people. Not our friends, family, co-workers, ministry partners. Just God!


When we waste our precious moments comparing what we have or don't have to others, we miss out on the opportunity to use our gifts and talents. When are eyes are on others purposes, we have no time to step out into our own future to grow our own gifts and talents. Put your eyes on God. He'll reveal that purpose as you seek Him and look to serve others.


Your purpose lies within you. Your purpose awaits you. 


Rule for purposeful living: Quit comparing yourself to others, it kills the growth of your purpose.


Do you struggle with comparing your purpose in life to others life journey's?

Alene