Every great country, business, family, and individual became that way because they were able to rise to the occasion when facing challenges and stress. Adversity brings out the best of us, but only we can focus on higher purpose, maintain our sanity, and see the challenge through.  This is the fodder for many great stories.

One way to identify your values and strengths is to reflect on the stories that are important to you and to your family.  Stories help you to discover the hidden factors that influence your life.  They also help you to appreciate your ancestry.  Many families have cherished old stories, told and retold at family gatherings.  The stories encourage us to talk about what is important.

Take time to reflect on these stories, look for the hidden factors that helped you and your family rise to the occasion, face your challenges, and come through.  These are the character strengths that are unique to you.   As you become clear about these values, you will become more centered within yourself and clearer how you daily acts make a difference.

For example, I come from a family where we have a strength of a “love of learning.” My father, in his early years was a country school teacher.  He was especially touched one day in his rural classroom when a little girl fainted, too weak to concentrate.  She told him, “It was not her turn to eat breakfast that day.”  Inside her lunch pail was only a cold potato.  He shared his lunch with her and began to learn about nutrition.

He subsequently became a teacher in the agricultural sciences and encouraged many community farmers and the members of our family to seek a higher education.  It was his lifelong mission to promote the growth and development of people, by facilitating their learning.  This story is fondly remembered because shows how all people are significant.  Our daily actions, carried out to benefit others, can lead to great results.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Alice

©Alice G Vlietstra, 2009