As I sometimes do when I’m working at my desk, I pulled a book off my shelf and opened to a random page.


from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

It’s not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that hurts us. Of course, things can hurt us physically or economically and can cause sorrow. But our character, our basic identity, does not have to be hurt at all. In fact, our most difficult experiences become the crucibles that forge our character and develop the internal powers, the freedom to handle difficult circumstances in the future and to inspire others to do so as well.

Why do we let some things barely register and other issues just seem to come around again and again to pester us for way too long? It’s like we each have these special trigger issues that affect us more than others.

I got a bulk email this week that said something like, discover your unique talents. The more I think about it, the more I think it’s just whooey. (how do you spell that, btw??) I don’t think I’m any more or less special than the next person. Now there are a few people in this world who have overcome much and achieved a great deal. But more of us, I think have similar talents at making our lives and experiences. However, I do think that we each have trigger issues that affect us differently than they might affect others. Here, I’m thinking that we can learn from our shadow side, and that we each have a unique set of challenges we need to work though. And, we all have passions….things that we enjoy doing and sharing with others. Hmm…

So, unique talents…maybe not so much. Unique responses…yeah, I think that is more accurate.