April 8, 2007

Have you ever been invited to a POT LUCK meal?  I have many times. It's an eating event wherein everyone invited brings a dish.  Sometimes it's a themed affair. Other times it's a dish free-for-all with no special agenda. The first question I ask when invited is,  "What do you want me to bring?" and when I am told, "Whatever you want," I then ask myself, "What is my best dish?" I always want to make sure that no one gets sick or is disgusted by my cooking.

Have you ever been told or believed that you are unworthy? I have many times, then I have to once again ask myself, "What do I do best?"  Once over, so I don't make anyone sick or disgusted.

I have been told many times that I can solve people's personal problems. One of my friends calls me a Sage. With my unusual sense of humor, and while I imagine being a Sage, I am wearing Johnny Carson's Carnac Hat.

Another friend, asked me to be her non-licensed psychologist, so I asked them why I can solve everyone else's problems but my not own? To that, my one friend said, "You don't have that many problems."  And really she isn't far off.

If we think about our individual lives and the gifts we have, we all have something that is not only special, but truly extra special. I have a sister-in-law who can cook, in my opinion, better than Emeril. However, she cannot figure a bus route. I have a dear friend who can play the piano, write songs, handle nine things at once but doesn't have a clue what is going on politically in the world. One other friend is by far the best teacher in the world, has a masters degree with many additional credits, but isn't confident when it comes confronting  someone who has either wronged her or challenged her. She has asked me, "How would you handle this?". Another who sings and should  be on the Broadway stage but never feels her performance is great.  She has looked many times in my direction while the applause is still quite lively and has smiled when she saw my approving nod. Why do we always see the negative and not the positive?  For that, my friends, I do not have the answer. However, I know that I do talk to myself and try and lift myself up when I am having one of those Prosac Days.

As in any POT LUCK meal, your dish is needed.  In life, we all have at least one amazing specialty. Sometimes finding it isn't easy. Some gifts are professional; some are just down right homey. The gift we bring to life makes us who we are. Never believe you aren't worth something. I am not talking  money here.  I am talking life. Without your special seasoning, how would anyone you touch ever be special?

You have a gift and you are needed just like your dish at the next POT LUCK event. Don't be shy. Look for the gift you possess and when you find it, label it yours; and then if you choose, share it with the world.

Maxine

www.maxinebennett.com