You say you are not gifted. I understand. You do not fit the typical profile of what people say advanced intelligence looks like. But I see it. It is so obvious to me. Here is what I see. How many of these traits describe you?
~ You ask lots of questions in most situations and want to do endless research to find answers that do not necessarily satisfy your unbounded curiosity.
~ When taking tests in school, you are frustrated by poorly worded or vague questions or you don’t believe in the questions or you find true/false questions to be maddening or you find all of the multiple choice answers to be correct or incorrect depending on the circumstances.
~ People underestimate your abilities because you’ve been told many times to slow down, curb your enthusiasm, stop showing off, don’t make the other kids feel bad, wait for the others to catch up, and no one likes a know-it-all. So, you hide your capacity, even to yourself.
~ You are deeply emotional and highly sensitive. This has been labelled immaturity since you were little so you believe gifted people are only highly rational. You are highly rational and deep thinking, too, but you don’t believe it is unusual because you say, isn’t everyone like this?
~ You are a random, creative, out-of-the-box thinker. This can look messy, disorganized, and irresponsible. The linear-sequential thinkers have been seen as the only smart ones.
~ Your intuitive abilities are expansive and you are searching for a loving, spiritual source and a vibrant community of sensitive souls.
~ If you are a parent, you feel deeply responsible for raising empathetic, kind-hearted children and you feel guilty for the times you are frustrated by the repetitive nature of parenting. You also are often worried about how your children will manage in a climate-stressed world.
~ The possibility that you are average or your work is mediocre is terrifying because you feel great pressure to live up to expectations to reach your “potential” and your identity depends on it.
~ Your very high standards and expectations come naturally to you and it is confusing and frustrating that your co-workers see you as difficult and not a team player because you are demanding more from them than they might actually be capable of delivering.
~ Your sense of humor is often ignored because people don’t get your references to historical figures they have never heard of.
~ The loneliness you feel because your complexity is not met or seen by family or friends is overwhelming at times often.
~ You are pretty constantly concerned that you are not doing enough to create a more peaceful, compassionate, just planet.
~ You’ve never liked the word ‘gifted’ because it sounds elitist or it doesn’t really explain your complexity in any depth but having a way to find self-understanding and seeing yourself through this lens has made a huge difference in your self-acceptance and in giving yourself permission to be you.
So, you see, my dearest gifted ones? Your rainforest traits shine brightly. They are easy to see if you know where to look.
So, start looking!
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To my bloggEEs: Do you see yourself in this list? What would you add to it? And if you are looking for a way to continue to find yourself, my newest book is on the way (mid-June?)! It is a guided journal that takes you on a deep dive into your complexity and includes entries from my own journals. There is not a way to preorder it but I will let you know as soon as it is available. I can’t wait to show it to you!! I’m planning a virtual launch party, too, if I can figure out the tech to arrange it! (any suggestions?) It might be easiest if you follow me on Instagram, too, to get the announcement faster. Or on Facebook. Or both! Much love to you, as always. Your comments here and love notes to me as so appreciated!
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