Energy, Passion, and Work Oh My!

For about a year I’ve had a “stickie” note on my computer that says:

1. Gardening the mind

2. Energy for what you love

3. My Commandments

I’ve written about Gardening the mind and I just this week posted Elizabeth’s Five B’s so tonight I believe I’ll offer some reflection on Energy for what you love. I believe that we are each uniquely gifted and if we do not work in those gifts a little each day our batteries will be drained. However when we work in our gifts, we recharge our batteries and have energy to do all our work.

Romans 12:4 8 says: Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his^[a]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

I took the Strength Finder analysis back in 2001. Since then I’ve taken the test 4 more times and my top strengths are: Ideation, Strategy, Maximizer, Input, and Activator. I always say that what describes me is: I have an idea, I have a plan, it’s got to be the best and let’s get started!

Working in my strengths: ideas, strategy, gathering information and getting things rolling charge my batteries. I get energy to do things like the budget and tackle relationship problems which can be draining, when I have some time to work in my gifts. And I believe everyone is like this. Creating a world where everyone can spend time in their gifts, each day, would be a wonderful place to be.

My tidbits of advice are:

1. Find out what you are great at: what charges your batteries? What is it that when you are working you don’t feel that you’re working at all? What is it you are doing when it feels so right that it just flows and time flies by?

2. Find a way to spend a little time, each week, doing what you’re great at. Whatever you know your strengths are, find a way to do it every week-this will give you energy for everything else.

3. Spend time reflecting. Think about the big questions: Who Am I? Who do I allow to have my ear, and how am I supposed to contribute to this world? Also, spend time thinking about: what is the lesson I’m to learn this week? This day? From this mistake?

4. Spend time appreciating others. Be kind and thankful for others. My friend Shelly & I often say “people are messy, love them anyway.” I think this is a great way to think about the world, we’re all a mess, no one around us is perfect, love everyone anyway even when they fall short of expectations.