Scratch n' Sniff

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't accidentally bought it myself.

Strengths

Stephen and I heard about the book Living Your Strengths at church and immediately knew we wanted to read it and take the Strengths Finder test that comes with each book... okay, so really we just wanted to take the test, which you can only do by buying a book with the code in it (the book is good too).  The research behind all this 'strength finding' is that people are most effective when they understand their God-given strengths.  So often we strive to be 'well rounded', but that can easily lead to mediocrity.  When we focus on what we are naturally good at and use it, rather than trying to fix what we are not good at, that is when we can really grow and be the most productive, in all areas of our lives.  Pretty exciting stuff!

The Strengths Finder is based on 34 'themes' and you are given your top 5.  Your top 5 themes of talent are unique to you.  Your chances of meeting someone with the same Signature themes, regardless of order, are less than 1 in 275,000!  There is only a 1 in 33 million chance that you will meet someone whose Signature Themes match yours and are in the same order (paraphrased from the book).   It is amazing how unique we are, and this is ONLY considering 34 'themes' of strengths... not skills, spiritual gifts, personality, backgrounds, etc.  It's really mind boggling to think how God really made each and every person different on so many different levels!

Okay, so here are my top five, in order : )  With short (very short) description.

1.  Learner - I love to learn and improve.  I get a thrill out of learning new facts and it builds my confidence.  I can learn a lot in a short period of time.

2.  Harmony - I look for areas of agreement.  I try to bring people together and find common ground. "We are all in the same boat, and we need this boat to get where we are going.  It is a good boat.  There is no need to rock it just to show that you can."  (This is why I would lose on any reality show)

3.  Input - I am inquisitive and crave information.  I find many things interesting.  I have difficulty getting started or completing a project because I feel like I never have enough information.  Surfing the net may turn into hours once your curiosity takes off (oooh, they got me here!).

4.  Analytical - I search for reasons why things are the way they are.  I think about factors that might affect a situation and what causes certain reactions.  I am critical about why people may claim something is true and want to see the proof (true, true, true).

5.  Intellection - I like to think (I guess I picked the appropriate blog name after all!!)  and let my thoughts go in many directions.  I like to spend time alone so I can reflect and ponder.  I like intellectual discussions.  This mental hum is on of the constants of my life.

Part of me feels like I need to list all my weaknesses now, since there are plenty... but why focus on those ; )

If you want to find out if one of your strengths is Woo... take the test!!  (So... who is paying me to do this, again?)

Concealed Weapons

I will not be taking the class with the rest of the family (in-laws) to learn how to shoot a gun and to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon.  First of all, my great-grandpa taught me how to load a pistol when I was 6, point the rifle at the neighbor's house telephone pole while looking through the scope when I was 6 1/2 and let me shoot the BB gun when I was 12.  Second... well, we all know what I would do with a gun in my possession.

Remember, the most important rule in gun safety is NEVER, EVER point a gun, loaded or unloaded, at ANYONE.

there.