Evolve U

What Makes You So Special

7th November, 2009 - Posted by Shaunice Hawkins - No Comments

I heart Frogmore Stew! Famous in the Low Country of South Carolina, Frogmore Stew (also known as Low Country Boil) is an amazing “all-in-one pot, all-you-can-eat buffet” of kielbasa and andouille sausages, crab legs, lobster tails, jumbo shrimp, crawfish, new potatoes and sweet corn cob boiled in Old Bay Seasoning and served with drawn white wine and lemon butter, a side dish of cole slaw and garlic bread.  Yum!!  The Stew is my favorite because it reminds me of home (South Carolina) and memories of my uncles’ (very, very funny) fishing and shrimping escapades.

Now, picture your favorite dish for a moment.  Visualize its artistic presentation on the plate.  Imagine the smell of its enticing aroma tickling your nose.  Think of its taste: each ingredient exalted on every taste bud of your tongue…before you head to the kitchen to start pulling out pots and pans, let’s ponder why this particular dish is your favorite.    Perhaps the dish conjures fond memories?  Or symbolizes “home” and the loving  care you feel when there?  Maybe, it’s the simplicity of fragrance or complexity of taste? Whether it’s an All-American Cheeseburger or Daube de Boeuf Provençal, this dish – above all other dishes you’ve eaten to date – is your favorite.  Why?  Because it holds an intrinsic value or personal significance.

The intrinsic theory of value states that the value or essential worth of an object is inherent or “contained within itself”.  This intrinsic worth (which can be both tangible and intangible) may or may not be the same as its “current market worth”.  In other words, the personal value of an item may or may not differ from the  valuation of that same item if sold in the marketplace.  A great demonstration of intrinsic value can be found in the “Priceless” MasterCard commercials in which the value of items purchased is tangible (monetary) but the feelings and emotions the consumer experiences when using the purchased items is intangible (priceless).  Therefore, what we do by way of effort, productivity and works can be tangibly quantified however who we are, what we offer and how we feel are intangible.

Consider that there are no two people alike in the entire world. There may be similarities and likenesses but there are no exactitudes.  No one else in any corner of the world has our individual mix of ingredients: gifts, skills, talents, abilities, intelligence, wit, humor, strength, fortitude, ambitions, hopes, dreams, passions, etc. We are each custom made, special editions. We contain an intrinsic worth that make us uniquely and remarkably priceless.  

Why, then, do we devalue ourselves and our ability to accomplish extraordinary things? 

Doubt. Doubt creates uncertainty, mistrust and suspicion. It causes us to question our worth by casting a shadow of trepidation and dread. Doubt says, “You’ll never be a successful entrepreneur because you don’t have a degree,” and “Don’t take that speaking opportunity because people will find out you’re a fraud. You don’t really know as much as you think you do.”

Disbelief. Disbelief is the denial to believe or to accept something as true.  Despite our education and/or life experiences, we just can’t accept that we are as talented or as gifted as we truly are.  Our inability to accept our individual greatness too often prevents us from acknowledging, accepting and respecting what makes others special as well.

Ambivalence. Ambivalence develops enough hesitation, indecision and uncertainty to cause us to delay or reject action out of concern for mistakes, faults and appropriateness.  Ambivalence tells us to, “wait until…” and “just be sure…” In concert, with doubt and disbelief, ambivalence paralyzes growth, progress and advancement.

So how can we fully realize our truest potential?   How can we embrace what makes us so special?

Faith. Faith is the essence of hope. It is the confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. It does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.  Faith encourages us to believe in the unseen with certainty and surety.  It says, “You can do anything you put your mind to do” and gives you the boldness to accomplish it (whatever it may be) long before we move into action.  Having faith in God and faith in ourselves can catalyze us to accomplish things others can only imagine.

Trust. Trust is the unequivocal belief in and reliance on the integrity, strength, ability and surety of a person or thing.  Trust validates who we are. In tandem with faith, trust affirms that we have the mettle,  boldness and strength of character to be successful.

Acceptance. Acceptance is the belief in the goodness of something.  When we devalue ourselves, we deny all that is good within us.  If we acknowledge the greatness that lies within us then we give ourselves both permission and consent to enjoy happiness, fulfillment, favor and fortune.

Most importantly, we are special, unique, priceless and great because God made us that way.  Believe…

 

FINAL THOUGHT
If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise.  ~Johann von Goethe