Never Too Old to Learn . . .

Last week I started a course, written by a woman I greatly admire, that's designed to help you make whatever changes are necessary in your life. Even at age 61, I'm learning things about myself that I didn't realize before. It's amazing what you discover when responding to questions that, at first glance, seem to have self-evident answers.

When you begin to really examine those feelings that are buried deep within you, all kinds of things reveal themselves. I'd thought I knew myself quite well. Now I realize just how wrong I was. I guess I'd never before taken the time to delve into what really makes me tick. That's not to say that I was completely ignorant of who I am ~ I wasn't. But at the same time, I had a rather superficial understanding of myself.

One of the biggest surprises was learning that I don't place the appropriate value on myself and my abilities. I thought I had a healthy self-image but I now see I don't give myself enough credit for the things I've accomplished in my life. Maybe we're all too quick to disregard our own achievements, to think they're nothing extraordinary.

I believe it would be a good exercise for all of us to sit down and examine what we've done in our lives ~ the strides we've made, the challenges we've overcome, and the things we've done that no one else in this world could do in exactly the same way. While we all have many things in common, each of is also unique and graced with special talents. We need to acknowledge those qualities that set us apart and, not only show gratitude for them, but take a certain amount of pride in them.

Most of us don't give ourselves enough credit ~ we consider ourselves pretty average. In many respects we are; however, we each have at least one area where we shine. We owe it to ourselves and, to those around us, to make the most of our unique abilities, but we can't do that unless we first discover and acknowledge them.

Quality time spent in self-discovery could be the very thing that opens doors for us that we never knew existed. What a wonderful and productive way to begin this new year.