Do you appreciate your strengths, or focus on the negatives?

 
​I was out walking the other day and saw a beautiful swan on a lake.

And it got me thinking...
 
Isn't it funny how we appreciate swans for their beauty... but we don't do the same with ourselves!

What do I mean?
 
Well, if animals were humans, I have a feeling the swan would be saying:
 
I’m not furry or cuddly!
 
Instead of appreciating how graceful and elegant it is.
 
If tigers were humans, I bet they'd say:
 
I can’t fly, or hold my breath underwater!
 
Instead of acknowledging their vast power and energy.
 
Elephants would say:
 
I’m wrinkly and huge!
 
Instead of focusing on their strength and calmness.
 
Bees would say:
 
We're small and insignificant!
 
Instead of being aware of how useful they are for pollination (and delicious honey).
 
What I'm saying is that animals naturally embrace and use their strengths.
 
They don’t worry about the things they don’t have... they focus on the things they do have.
 
And it got me thinking: as humans, why don’t we do the same?
 
What if we flipped it round? 
 
What if we embraced our strengths and what makes us unique... instead of listing off our faults and all the things we do wrong?
 
Why don’t we let go of the things we can’t do, and make the most of the things we CAN do?
 
Because each of us has something to offer.
 
The same way that each animal contributes something to the world.

(Okay, I’m still figuring out what wasps contribute ;)
 
But think about this:
 
What is your strength? 
 
What makes you special? 
 
It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking. It can be:

• The volunteering you do;
  
  
• Your infectious smile;
  
  
• Your ability to make a really good pie.

What are you good at? 
 
What do you like about yourself? 
 
(And if the answer is “nothing”, it’s not because there isn’t anything - it’s 'cause you’re not looking hard enough.)
 
If you find it hard to see your own strength or beauty, ask a friend... and take on board what they say.
 
Don’t focus on what you’re not.
 
Focus on what (and who) you are. 
 
And remember, there's more than one tiger in the world!
 
You don’t have to be the “only one in the world” to be amazing :)
 
What is your strength? What makes you special?
 
Do you make pancakes like a pro? Are you good at taking charge in a crisis?
 
Do you make people feel special, or help out when no one else does?
 
These are all important qualities and skills.
 
Don’t belittle them.
 
Every animal has a role.
 
And so do we.
 
What’s your role?
 
I help people feel good about themselves.
 
And I’m super tall so I can reach things on the top shelves for old ladies ;)
 
So a suggestion for you today: acknowledge your strengths and what you do best.

Work with what you've got, rather than focusing on your flaws.

Now go off and have a great weekend... appreciating yourself for exactly who you are :)
 
Claire

PS - I'd love to know in the comments: What are your true strengths? What should you give yourself more credit for?
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