Denying Your Strengths

It is a great thing to pursue your strengths and goals. However, something you must be careful to not do is deny any of your strengths. Whether because they come from dark places or because they're not directly related to what you are pursuing now, you may be tempted to ignore or even deny them. Doing this will only harm you in the long run.

When Your Strengths Are Embarrassing

You may be ashamed of something you are naturally talented at. It can be due to gender roles, culture, or even your own personal feelings. Regardless of the cause, you must fight this feeling.

Every talent you are fortunate enough to be born with is an advantage in life. Regardless of its source or what it is, there is a way to turn it to your advantage. It is up to you to find that way, instead of being embarrassed by it because of external factors.

You may have an exceptionally thick skin due to abuse early in life. This mental resilience can see you through hard times that crush the will of others. You may have an unnatural talent for something that is completely outside your desired skill set. This can give you an edge by incorporating outside influences into the way you pursue your goals.

Never be ashamed of your strengths, skills, or natural talents, regardless of their source.

When Your Strengths Seem Dark

Sometimes something you are particularly good at may seem as though it only has selfish or even evil applications. Some people are particularly good at convincing others to see their point of view. Others are exceptionally talented at physical violence toward other people.

These skill sets certainly DO have many dark, selfish, and yes, even evil applications. A weak-willed person may fall victim to the temptation to use them that way. But you're not here to be a weak willed person. You're here to be your best self, to better yourself as a person and uplift those around you to do the same.

So decide early on that regardless of what the EASY way to use your strengths is, you're going to use them the RIGHT way. This may take extra work. In fact, it most likely will. That's ok. The work will make you better. It will force you to apply your strengths toward your goals and dreams, not toward the easy way out.

Never write off a talent you have just because others have abused, or even because you are tempted to do so. Make that talent one of your strengths by applying it to the good you are doing in the world.

What Strengths Do You Deny?

As always, I want to hear from all of you. Tell us about the strengths, skills, and talents that you have that you are shamed or afraid of. Tell us how you address them and acknowledge them, how you incorporate them anyway.