Who was “your person”? Who was your mentor, your supporter or the one who really heard you? Our days consist of swimming through a sea of people and encounters and it often feels like a big blur sometimes. But in all that murk, who caught your eye? Who reflected the light of the Divine and glowed making you stop, look and listen? Who drew you in, gave you center stage and made you feel like you matter despite the world telling you otherwise? The encounter with your person or people may have been short-lived or still on-going, but you know for sure that knowing them changed you.

We all have the ability to be that person for someone else but it does take some work. It requires that you dive completely into your humanity and double down on your strengths. It means you work on your self-awareness to learn about your inherent strengths and leave them on display to share with the world. When we lead with our gifts, people notice and we feels things flow. It feels good and it feels right. We draw in those who need us at that moment in time when we lead with the best part or ourselves. We’re not frightened or worrying about wearing a mask to hide ourselves. We shimmer with a magnetic force that sparkles with all of our beauty and understanding. We’re not over-thinking, we’re just being. We’re in our natural state that was most evident the day we were born when people picked us up and just marveled at our state of being, fresh from heaven. This is why babies are the world’s most perfect mentors because they lead with their strengths – wonder, hope, innocence and love.

Who taught you that we need each other and that our differences in abilities and challenges perfectly compliment one another? If you want to continue this lesson, then strive to understand how the pieces of the human puzzle fit together. Do so by slowing down and listening. Start by taking the time to sit in silence long enough to hear the internal voice inside you that lives deep below the surface where the water is clear, still and safe from the world’s intrusions. When we regularly practice listening to our own inner voice, we get really good at listening to the voices of others. You can’t grab a hold of someone else’s voice if you’re hands are full of things like your ego, fear and righteousness. You have to put that stuff down to truly listen and honor someone else’s story without judgement. It is a practice that requires introspection and patience. Your person was probably a master at this lesson.

People who make a difference aren’t shy with their gifts. They stay present, loving, giving and sensible. They glow with the light of just being when doing what they do best. They encourage others to take off their masks so we can all glow too. They work with challenges, get knocked down but see no choice but to rise again. They exude joy when others overcome and find pleasure in life’s simple gifts. They take care of themselves and take care of others. They listen to the ones they care for by asking more questions than giving answers. They brush back your hair when you’re too sad to hold up your own face and match their breath with yours to help you slow down. They share their chocolate cake, put a hand on your back and remind you of your worth. They lead with the best part of their humanity by laughing, crying, loving and listening. If we all have the capacity to exude our humanity, don’t we all have the capacity to be “that person” for someone else? What a powerful question to ponder with implications that could make an amazing, meaningful difference in the life of another. Oh…and sharing a good piece of chocolate cake with someone makes a big difference too.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

1. Who was that person that made you feel heard and supported? What do you remember most about them?
2. In order to lead with your strengths, it’s important to become self-aware. How do you work on self-awareness?
3. What are some of your strengths? Do you regularly use your gifts and how do you know you are doing so?
4. Do you see value in taking the time to slow down and listen to your inner voice? Why or why not? Monitor how well you really listen to yourself and others without judgement. What occurs when you do well at this practice?
5. What do you see as the best part of “your person’s” humanity that has made a big difference in your life? Do you see yourself sharing that with others? Why/why not?