HAPPY TO BE ME

Feels Good to Write Again
It’s been too long since I last posted something on my blog…gosh, it has been ages! The last article talked about my disappointment with AAM and glowing accounts on how my son took charge and saved the day. Ha ha ha! Talk about being the proud mum, no one sees you the same way your mum does eh?
Anyway a friend made a remark about that article. It seems that I should not be allowed to drive since I cannot even attend to the first essential requirement of a credible driver - change the tyres in an emergency; it is downright criminal, he says. Well, FRIEND - I have news for you! No where in the world is there a law which stipulates that someone will only get his/her driving license only after demonstrating that he/she is capable of changing the tyres.

Being Mechanically Challenged
On the other hand, I can see a tinge of merit in his statement. Being independent and fully in control of the situation wherever you are make a lot of cow sense. Changing a tyre does not require skills or knowledge in automobile engineering (never mind that I was struggling with even fundamental physics in university) but it is the physical exertion that I have a problem with. I confess - I am mechanically challenged. Anything that requires manipulation of objects, involving the usage of my hands to work manually or to craft physical items such as ornaments and stuff – I end up with all thumbs. I would need more time to learn most psychomotor skills then other people and mastering them would require endless practices and repetitive drilling, which I find almost nauseating, really .
Although I have always cleverly managed to dodge having to do them, there have been times when I agonize about it, feeling a sense of failure for not being good at things even some eight year olds can master. Seriously - I even had to ask for help from my little nephew when I had difficulties using a particular can opener once. How embarrassing can it get?

A Revelation
But the turning point for me was after reading the book Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton. I am now so totally cool with being mechanically challenged because I discovered strengths and talents which I have always taken for granted and considered trivial. It made me see myself as someone with immense potential and power; whatever my shortcomings. The book also provides tips and strategies on how to work around my challenges so that each of them does not become a BIG deal.
There you go….needing help and reaching out to support systems and individuals who have more expertise than you, do not indicate weakness. It just makes you appear human because that’s what life is all about. Einstein was quoted to have asked people close to him what his own home address was.

The Meaning it Created for Me
My greatest grab from the book was this statement “What does a strong life look like?” …it is when a person succeeds in building his life around his/her strengths. As I read on, I felt totally empowered. I want to continue get ting up every morning feeling that I am doing what I love most…and with God’s Grace, I will achieve GREAT things!