• I'm great at bringing people together. I have a tendency to keep in touch with those who've lost touch with each other, and find ways to reunite them. Sometimes that means I might get ignored LOL, but there really is a great feeling from being involved like that. It's all about this quality I have called "connectedness", which I'll blog about at a future date.
• I'm dependable. Yeah, I sound like a faithful pet, but I am always on time (or early) and if I say I'm going to do something, I do it. I can be counted on to be the person others go to when they need help or if we're short-staffed at work, to fill in. I have no problem being flexible. (Note: this may sound rather boring, but I am well compensated for the work I do, plus I have found ways to "work around the system" that benefit me. Nothing illegal or unethical or against company policy, but I sometimes get extra time off or receive monetary rewards from my bosses, so really, it's all good).
• I remember people and things that are happening in their life about grandchildren, hobbies, new house/car. Very important when dealing with the public like I do in my job, and it's something my mom taught me when I was young. Plus it's something I truly enjoy - learning about other people and what makes them tick. I know it's one of the reasons I was able to go back to my old office: "brought back by popular demand". People actually missed me and my customer service abilities and were requesting that I come back, and believe me, there is no greater feeling than being wanted. And equally as great is working with people you care about. I LOVE my job and the people I see everyday.
• Donating time or money when I can. There are several causes that I am passionate about, and I do what I can to support them as best I can. I truly believe that what goes around comes around, and I feel like I am feeding my soul by doing something meaningful, no matter how small. It's what's in your heart that truly counts.
• I'm not afraid to try new things, even if I end up doing them by myself. 2 years ago I went on my first vacation by myself: I went on a 5-day cruise. I was a bit nervous, but I really wanted to go, and though originally I had planned to go with one of my closest girlfriends, but because of a medical problem with her husband, she couldn't make it. I decided to go anyway, and I am sure glad I did. Sometimes you just have to let go of your fear if you really want to do something.
• I'm not afraid to be alone (an extension of the previous quality). I would rather be single forever than have one (or several) loser boyfriends just so that I can say I'm with someone. Would I like to get married? Sure, of course. Kids? Maybe. Self-respect? Definitely. I have a girlfriend who is in her third dead-end relationship because she's afraid to try life on her own. I had a co-worker who stayed in an abusive marriage for almost 30 years. I wouldn't trade places with either one of them just to have a man. Being single definitely has its perks, and my money and time are my own. (And have you ever noticed that the most fervent and aggressive matchmakers are the ones in bad relationships? At least that's been my experience. And their blind date selections leave much to be desired, I might add.)
• I send cards! Simple, really, but boy can it really make someone's day. I can't tell you how amazing it feels when someone tells me that they were having a bad day and then they got my card, and it really came at the perfect time. It's a small gesture, but one that can have an incredible impact on me and the person I sent it to.
• And last but not least, I'm so freakin' modest! Okay, just kidding.

I know it sounds like I'm bragging, and maybe I am a tad bit, but hey, come on, we're always putting ourselves down and wishing we could be prettier, smarter, quicker, taller, richer, thinner...or is that just me? Believe me, I have plenty of bad qualities too, but that's for another time...or blog post. Anyway, none of these things are going to change the world, but as Garth Brooks would say, "I do this so, this world will know, that it will not chaaaange me". So maybe I'll never be able to sing like an angel, or climb Mt. Everest, or own my own restaurant. I can live with that. And isn't that the whole point? I'm just trying to make my own little (happy) place here on earth, and so far I think I'm doing okay with that.

So share, people: what are YOU good at?

Feel free to brag: it really is about YOU!

Labels: gold star, talents, you