What is hidden under YOUR blanket?

[Getupngo]

OO -- I think you have it nailed! Prayer and laughter are the greatest gift one can have.

[Echo]

About the only thing I can think of that is under my blanket is my ability to see both sides of the story. As of course there are always two sides. Two views, two opinions, two rationals.

Sometimes I don't know how much of 'gift' it has been tho? Sometimes I swear that it has been a curse. It has caused some very hard feelings and arguments because I haven't jumped to only one side. It has caused my loyalty to be called into question more than once. And it has cost me a couple of friendships. But then again I have to wonder how good those friendships were to begin with.

Maybe the other thing is my ability to keep going on? No matter what I just keep plodding along until I'm on the other side of something? I don't throw in the towel. Very rarely do I give up on something.

[sunshinecruiserTN]

Wow, Janice, what a thread! I have given this some thought when I first read it and really didn't know how to answer it. I am still a little unsure but I'll take a stab at it.

I know what I am professionally and have been for 30 years. A great speaker, encourager, coach, trainer, HR professional, listener, communicator, investigator, blah, blah, blah.

My question for myself is what will I be after this 30 years in the business?? I know that I can transfer those skills to everyday life but I want to find out who Carolyn really is after all this experience. It's exciting to uncover the real person not the one that is "supposed" to be one way or the other.

i'll always be a loyally, consistent friend, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt. The world is my palate from which to create and I'm so ready.

One day, I'll answer this deep thread more precisely, right now, thanks for making me think outside of now.

[oliveoil]

I know what I am professionally and have been for 30 years.

SunshinecruiserTN----- I totally understand what you are saying--------
As for over 40 years I owned many businesses----- I was good at finding what the need was in a community & setting up a business in that community with a really good business plan----- & then someone come along & buy me out & I would start another one-- some times in a totally different area!
I owned beauty salons & Image consultant companies----- 9 different antique shops----& 2 bed & breakfasts & 1 motel & restaurant & gift shop & 1 health food store & a catering company & I have been a motivational speaker & I have published two newspapers & we owned a Inn sitting company---&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&--- just to name a few businesses----- & I was always defined by others by the businesses I owned!!!!!!
Then one day my health was sooooooooooooooooo bad I had to totally quit working-----& then redefind myself------& at the same time--- find a way to improve my health---as all the medical doctors I went to said------- go home & get ready to call "in home health care" & just make the best of what time I had left!!
Well that was not a plan I was ready to accept------ & through lots of prayer & God lead me to the "NATURAL health care system"--& lifestyle & we sold all of our properties & everything else & sized way way way way down from what we had been use to-----& all we had been use to doing-----& it was the best move in our lives------
we moved to a totally different area to retire & we knew no one in this area-------- so we have been totally changing our selves & finding who we really are-- not what we had to be--- to make a living!!!!!! Or the kind of lifestyle we thought we had to live!!!
And for 40 years of only knowing WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has been a major life change!!!!!!

[Getupngo]

Echo, the ability to see both sides is the gift of empathy. You are blessed not to be locked
into a box of black vs. white. I've always believed the truth exists somewhere between
the various versions people hold to. Hang onto that gift, and don't let the small-minded
people define or intimidate you. What you have is precious.

And OO, you have had an incredible diversity of life ... I'm envious. I admire people
who have a dream and know how to make it come true. That, too, is an precious
gift.

[MsBHaven]

What is hidden under YOUR blanket?

Two chihuahua's - ha ha

This is a very interesting topic. My good points are that I am a good listener. I love to hear other people's stories and I like to learn from the experiences of others. Have learned that I was good at my "job", but hated to play the political games. Managed to climb the corporate ladder to a nice rung, but had enough sense to realize that money doesn't make me happy and left the rat race at age 54. Have learned that I enjoy being around every day people best of all. I believe people trust me and take me into their confidence and they look at me as a leader, not a follower. I'm just an everyday person and I am satisfied with my life. For years I never could figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. Finally I figured it out - I wanted to be retired and RVing. I met my goal.