“My Strengths in Costumes”
By Dr. William K. Larkin on June 1, 2009
I am using, for the first time, someone else's writing as the blog post for this week, because it reflects such outstanding insight into strengths and their opposites- what we call our weaknesses. Tanya has her finger on the pulse of this step of growth. Our character defects are merely the reflections of our strengths- they cause the feelings and thoughts that feel "bad" and attempt to send us toward our strengths. This is an outstanding entry on the blog and I am grateful to Tanya for posting it. I am so proud to share this entry from one of our outstanding Certified VisioNavigator Coaches. Thank you, Tanya!
Tanya Burak wrote on Sun May 31st, 7:45 pm:
What a thrill to "finally get" after a zillion years of sideline living ... that my weaknesses are not something to be beaten out of myself or hide in shame!
That delightfully to the contrary they are the "friendly committee" that starts chattering or moaning if I am going in the wrong direction (down).
T
heir job is and has always been simply that but no one ever told me. So through my lens of shame of "never enough" all I heard was that they too thought little of me.
So this committee, my strengths in costumes, had to scare me back on track if that is what it took. They knew the bottom had a limit... and that they could help me start going back up when I finally understood. Boy, are they patient!
They would take my dislike and abuse because they had "certitude" regarding their mission. They were pretty worn out and were very relieved to have ANI explain ... like a neutral third party intervention.
I now can
hear that I was uniquely and purposefully designed exactly the way Spirit wanted me. So now when I hear them whispering or shouting, I don't get afraid. I know it is their "loving warning" that I am ignoring one of or all of my unique pieces.
They still stand fast until I turn myself around and get headed the right direction. It's tough love but someone has to do it.
Thank you committee ... also for reminding me I don't have to look for anyone else's strengths to fix me ... that it doesn't work and is not supposed to!
"Reflecting Spirit"
Ann Yandle wrote on Thu Jun 4th, 8:11am:
I’ve been thinking a lot this week about Tanya’s metaphor for our weaknesses really just being our strengths in costume. When my weaknesses show up, and they always do from time to time in some shape, form or fashion - I chuckle to myself now. Aha !! - this weakness is really just my strength turned inside out, the flip side of the coin. Having this thought connects me to the feeling of hope - the fifth feeling that we have added to our Emotional Gym repertoire . . . hope that reassures me that my weaknesses will not take me down the path of the DownSpiral as they have in the past. That is not their intention or purpose for showing themselves . . . they exist merely to serve as cues to have me go to my strengths. My weaknesses no longer own me or dictate my feeling state. Becoming allies with my weaknesses has taken away their power and placed it squarely back where it has always belonged . . . with me !!! My strength of Humor & Playfulness loves these metaphors . . . and again, I thank you Tanya for your creative insight.
beau wrote on Thu Jun 4th, 8:28pm:
Go Tanya! Until I learned my strengths I had NO idea that they even existed. It was somewhat like bumping around in a pitch black room and wondering why I can’t find the light switch or the doorway. I have in the last four years with many thanks to Dr. Larkin learned exactly what my strengths are, committed them to my memory and practiced on a daily basis by writing about them in a way that is free and fun. I have stopped telling the story of how it is and I now tell the story of how I want it to be! The sky is the limit! I love this way of life, it has literally set me free from guilt, shame and worry and overall given me many consecutive drama free hours of happiness. I like to think of this work as tending to my garden, what I plant is what I sow, and I have planted many a bitter plant to know the difference. It is a daily choice and it is never finished, but it just keeps getting better!!
Mark E. Anderson wrote on Tue Jun 9th, 6:18pm:
Tanya, I especially like the new perspective you’ve given me that I can view the “committee” as friendly instead of “shaming”. It is because the “committee” cares about me that they begin to chatter and warn me of my misdirection.
Yes, Beau, thank you for the reminder “Tell the story of how I want it to be!”
Reflecting Spirit wrote on Tue Jun 9th, 7:22pm:
Dr. L, Dr. J, Beautiful Ann, Beau & Mark ...
Thank YOU for the wonderful acknowledgment re “getting this one” ... and that you too relate & recognize the “costumes”.
What a thrill and blessing that Dr. L & Dr. J have created this inspired work & gracious community!
Plus how wonderful ... assurance that among the “inspired” there is always support for the times the diguises seem so “real” help is needed to expose who is hiding under the flashy costume!
Love you all!
Ann Yandle wrote on Wed Jun 10th, 8:39am:
Beau, your share about your work with Dr. Larkin and what it has provided for you is awe inspiring. Two very powerful ANI tools that you’re using - learning and USING your strengths and journaling daily - are keys to the kingdom of living the fully lived life . . . as demonstrated by YOU. “I have stopped telling the story of how it is and I now tell the story of how I want it to be! The sky is the limit!” The way you’ve expressed the power we all have to create and attract exactly what we want in our lives could literally stop any victim right in their tracks. The paintbrush is in our hand and the canvas we paint upon is our life . . . paint away, everybody. We can all be Van Goghs and Monets if we exercise our free will and get on task of creating exactly how we want our lives to be !!
