I'm not sure if my gift is hidden. Having reflected on this seed question for the entire morning (clearly, not a spontaneous response), I have an ability to read people through nonverbal communication with a deep insight to who they want to become, but, stay stuck based on old tapes in their minds. The urgency I experience is to share my insights with them with their permission, to change the trajectory of their lives.
Personal Story
I met a 40 year old, well kempt woman and her 10 year old frail, shy son in an impoverished rural community. We were discussing possible methods to support her son's need for improving his social circle as well as boost his self-esteem. After agreeing on a couple methodologies for her son, I sensed the mother had low self esteem as well as a hidden desire to further her formal education. She shared the "dream" of going to college to become a nurse. Her husband was an unemployed ,over the road truck driver and part time farm hand. She had dismissed her desire to go to college for the needs of her family, the cost of higher education, the fears of being rejected at any accredited college, the need to work her low paying job in food service and quit if she went to college. All of these realities and fears overwhelmed her to the point of dismissing any possibility of attaining her hidden goals and dreams. She felt stuck. I felt her sense of being stuck without the hopes of a better future.
I provided her with several resources to discuss potential solutions for her dream. We met 1 week later. Her eyes were bright rays of hope. Her energy was ecstatic vs. static. She had viable solutions to attend an accredited college for nursing. She met her fears by taking the entrance exam, passed and enrolled the next semester. Her son's social circle grew, he achieved honor roll in under 1 year, his physical health improved, and loved to share stories about his day at school and doing homework at home together with his mother while she did hers.
On Apr 28, 2023 Paula Washow wrote :