"In Relief Society today we were talking about spiritual gifts when a thought came to my mind. I have had a hard year and have been a little lost lately. I really need a little uplift for life and thought what better way to do it than to ask the people closest to me to give me a little feedback. I do not want you to feel obligated to do this but if you have a few minutes in your day, can you email me back to tell me of a few of the strengths that you see I posses? I feel like I need to ask you since you are one that knows me best."
4 Responded...
Response 1:
"Hi Amber,
I just got home from another long day at work, read your email and here are a few things I thought of right off the top of my head. Of course there are more YOU are AWESOME!
1) Very independent,
2) very mature for your age
3) determined
4) self-reliant
5) have a lot of will power
6) can't be bossed around
7) doesn't follow the crowd
8) sticks to her guns
9) doesn't let other influence her decisions
10) follows her heart
11) spiritually mature
12) Friendly
13) Always willing to help someone
14) Unselfish
15) Caring
16) Concerned for others
17) loves her family
18) Self motivated
19) Serious but fun
20) Compassionate AND A
21) righteous daughter of God"Response 2:
"I've been wanting to respond to this for a couple of days now. I got all of today's work done and decided to respond before I went home so you didn't have to wait any longer. It's not much, but I hope it helps!
Your most apparent strength is your confidence in your own opinions, decisions and ideas. When you have arrived at one of your own opinions, made a decision, or have an idea in your head, you do not deviate from that course. This is a strength in that, when you have chosen the correct path (as you often do!) you are not swayed by others.
You have an infectious cheerfulness. Your yellow car fits you so well. You are always so outwardly happy and encouraging. You smile and laugh often, which uplifts others, even if on the inside you are struggling or uncomfortable.
You are an incredibly hard worker. You see yourself with a responsibility and you work yourself to death! You put in lots of time at work, not because you love it so much, but because you feel a responsibility and you work hard to fulfill it. When you have a priority, you see that it is not neglected! Thus, you also seem to work hard on church callings!"
Response 3:
"Sorry It's taken me a while to get back on this! I was trying to think, and then I forgot!
I think one of your strengths is your confidence, or your "fake" confidence, as you call it. You just carry yourself well and you seem to be very confident and outgoing. You are also very friendly to everyone.
Another is you are very independent. You don't rely on anyone for anything. You like to take care of yourself.
I'll try to think of more good ones. You have many strengths. I'm just trying to think of some good ones."
Response 4:
"Dear Amber:
First of all, your email came at a timely point. My friend Lindsey was here visiting this week and we were talking about people and I mentioned you...she was like, oh you still talk to her? (as in, we were friends a long time ago...you still kept track of that one?) and I was like, well of course. She's the best woman I know.
And THAT I mean in the most literal sense. You are seriously the best woman I know. And I know a lot of women :) And although most days I feel like you are perfect, logic tells me likewise..but still I know that you being the BEST woman means that you do the best in the most and the areas you aren't yet able are the ones that help balance you out.
You are incredibly generous. And I mean the sort of generous where you will help anyone out that you do or do not know....and if you don't, you feel bad for it later :) The Lord gave you a good heart, and you have done the best of anyone to keep it pure.
You are a wonderful listener, which makes you the best kind of friend. You listen, but acknowledge, and laugh or emote along. As a part of this you also offer great insight that is practical and caring. This results in the people you serve and befriend being able to build a strong trust in you.
Which reminds me, you are extremely trustworthy. I never had to worry about you saying the wrong thing, even though I am sure I embarrassed you a time or ten :)
You center your life around living Christ-like and being a good person. You have committed your life to the Lord and continuously follow through. This may be something that seems silly, but I am surrounded right now by people that have not been able to maintain that much tenacity through thick and thin...they seem to ease up right around the thin parts. But you, you carry on with life, seeking out the love of the Lord and the things that you can do.
Responsibility is your strength!!! At times when I just want to stop being responsible, I look at you and know that if Amber is doing it, then by george I ought to be.
Love. You sure do know how to love. You seek out the best in people, and not being ignorant of their weaknesses or less desirable behaviors, you treat them as if they are kings and queens.
Overall, I respect and admire you so much. Especially for putting up with me. You know me better probably than any roommate I have ever had, and yet you are the one that has always stayed by my side. I don't think we have ever been in a fight? I can't think of a time... this is amazing. Your patience is something I strive for. In every way of how you operate your life and how you commit yourself to your goals, you are the better and the best woman.
Chin up, buttercup. I don't feel like this list is complete. I hope you don't mind if I send more as I think of it.
I did not really want to post these because I feel like a few are not true. Or at least have these 4 individuals fooled of who I really am. Then I thought about it and figured that if some of the closest people to my heart would write such nice things about me, they must have seen that in me at some point regardless if I still possess those characteristics. I re-read them today in my moments of heartache and discouragement. It helped. Thank you, friends, for writing me back and telling me what you have experienced in your interactions/friendship with me. It means a lot to hear the qualities you perceive. It is easy to forget that we are great when there is a very strong force pulling against us. I will forever remember what you have written me and hope that I can someday lift you up when you need it.
2 comments:
This is sweet. I know whenever I see things like these about me I always cry - it's amazing how well people we love know us. In some ways better than we know ourselves. Remember these because they are so very true.
Love the frequent postings - hope you keep it up :D
May I add to this?...I read through the things that people said about you and I noticed that alot of them are basically all saying the same things. Thats cool because there are many "witnesses" saying that these characterisics are true. We all have different spiritual gifts and sometimes I find myself wanting someone elses gifts, BUT its awesome that we all dont possess the same ones.
I remember the first time I moved to old mill and I thought you were by far the cutest girl out of all of them. Whats funny is the "cute girls" were kind of mean to me and they werent even that cute! they just thought they were!!! Similar things happened to girls who moved into the ward, a girl told me that she recieved dirty looks as well from the "cute girls." ANYWAYS I think you were by far the cutest girl and could have had any man you wanted in the ward but instead you were nice to everyone, both male and female and you didnt seem to care about the "popularity contest." That shows confidence, just being comfortable in your own skin.
I have also noticed how independant you are, that is a very good quality.
I think you are so great! You have achieved good good things and you seem to achieve your goals. I cant even loose 3 freakin pounds and how much have you lost? You are a very determined girl! You chase after whats most important.
I look up to you Amber
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