Many factors have made me hyper-sensitive to family dynamics recently: My pastor has been preaching a series on relationships, I am preparing for a mother / daughter event, I am finishing up a child’s book about the six styles of children, and most significantly, cancer has invaded my strong, influential father and I am getting a lot of extra time with my extended family as we all join efforts in helping my parents through the fight of a life-time.
How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony! ~Psalm 133:1
All these factors are teaching me three valuable lessons:
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We are our truest selves around those we feel safe with.
It’s no secret that most of us act on our best behavior for people we don’t know well, yet we don’t hold back “the ugly” from those we love. As much as we prefer that people (especially our children) show us even more respect than they do a stranger, when they are acting up, at least we know that they feel safe with us. I’d rather have an imperfect, authentic child –or friend– than a perfect, phony one any day! Would’t you?
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One person’s presence can change the atmosphere.
It’s no secret when someone is insincere.
Phony can be felt.
So can authenticity.
There is something very powerful about being in the presence of an authentic person. Sincere enthusiasm will lift the spirits of a whole crowd; a person with true peace calms an entire room; someone with the faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain of fear.
When we act out of pretense, we have no power to do anything positive.
Your presence is a big indicator of your Img.ID, which adjectives best describe you? C: Proper, professional, particular N: Practical, peaceful, patient D: Excellent, exciting, extravagant I: Gentle, genuine, graceful R: Compassionate, creative, consoling G: Industrious, instructive, influential Click the letter to learn more about that Image Identity, including What2Wear. Click here for more info about image assessments
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Everyone has something to offer.
It’s no secret that no two people are alike, yet we all are tempted to compare our individual weaknesses with other people’s strengths. This does no good unless it causes appreciation and respect–for others and for yourself.
There will always be times in our lives when we feel inadequate. Maybe you, too, love someone who is sick and there’s really nothing you can do. Maybe you have a sibling that is “great at everything” and you don’t see your own gifts and talents. I want to encourage you to stop comparing. BE who you were designed to be and BE confident. Your presence is powerful when it is true. You do have something to offer. Find it and don’t it hold back .Then, enjoy others without making your relationship a competition.
It is by knowing, appreciating and respecting the diversity of strengths and weaknesses that we have that we are empowered to live in harmony, even the toughest of circumstances.
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As an author and speaker, Catrina’s passion is in helping women and girls overcome confidence conflicts, especially those involving rejection, betrayal and loss. After 30 years in the beauty industry as both a cosmetologist and an image consultant, Catrina now uses her profession, her own powerful stories and her training as a Biblical life-coach to reach the heart in a way that is relatable, encouraging and inspiring. Her message is balanced with both fashion and faith and is making a difference in the lives of women and girls all over! To be part of this movement, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linked In, Goodreads and consider having her speak at your next event. Visit https://catrinawelch.com for more information.
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