I don’t think people spend enough time observing who they are in their every day life; what do you like? what do you dislike? what are your natural skills? what do people compliment you on? what do you enjoy doing? and most importantly….how  can  you use those discoveries to contribute your unique self and skills to the world?
I work at a state college and a young guy came in to me the other day to apply to college for the first time. After telling me the story about how he and  his current fiance met taking a smoke break during their GED test, he explained to me how he was going to build them a small house to live in in his parents back yard. I commented conversationally that I thought building was such an incredible skill. And I’ll never forget the look he gave me. He was baffled, perplexed, confused, not understanding what I thought was so great about what he could do.

I went on to explain that I had once spent a week building a roof, and that it was the hardest week of my life. I said it amazes me that people can build such large, functional, beautiful things. He did not think his skill was that impressive, and tried to simplify it, saying, oh you know, it’s just a floor, walls, a roof, etc. I had to correct him and say…no no no, it seems simple to you, but trust me, you have a valuable skill.

I wish I could accurately describe the change that occured in his eyes after this transaction. I could tell it was the first time he considered that what he could do was valuable. It was one of those moments I will never forget.

While there are plenty of people that suck the life out of our society, I think there are so many that are undervalued. We often attribute value to monetary success, and thus a construction worker can be  assessed as less skilled and impressive then, say, an investment banker. While many discussions could stem from the value our society places on various industries and occupations, the problem I’ve been thinking about lately is how  compensation levels often define worth, albeit unconsciously.

This, to me, has a huge affect on these young, ambitious people who are breaking into the “real” world–like my house-building-friend-with a low self esteem and no understanding of what they have to bring to the table.

I was blessed enough to have parents that always supported me and told me I was wonderful. While now it often makes me roll my eyes, I cannot discount the value that had on my self-esteem and my ability to have confidence in what I can bring to this world.

I know so many people do not have this kind of support, and I think the least we can do in our daily lives is try to show people their brillance, by complimenting them, encouraging them, and thanking them. Whether it’s finding a manager to compliment a wonderful server, telling someone you work with that they did a really good job on a project, or writing a note to a teacher telling her the impact she had.

Making it a habit to do these kinds of things whenever you see opportunity will plant seeds in the minds of many throughout your lifetime. If enough of us are throwing out these seeds, perhaps people will see their abilities clearly, and have the confidence to cultivate them.

Couldn’t we use more brilliant people in this world? I think there are many that are simply undiscovered and unencouraged. Make it a point to do something today, no matter how small, to change that.

I was high-tech in 2nd grade – dialing up AOL and logging in to the Nickelodeon chat rooms  (before parents knew how creepy  the internet could be). However, since then I’ve somehow fallen behind.

I just started texting a year ago. I got my first iPod 5 months ago. And today begins another late but enthusiastic entrance into a technological frontier – the blog.

I never thought to start a blog because, really, what do I have to say to the world? Most successful bloggers seem to be either incredibly funny and witty or sardonic and controversial. I am none of those things.

So why am I here, you might be wondering? Because like many of the other average unsuccessful bloggers out there, I want a new outlet to express myself. I want to explore this world and see what it is all about. And most of all, I miss writing.

There is something soothing about typing out your thoughts and observations about the world;  and  sending them off into cyberspace is kind of exhilarating.

There is a certain irony to the social facets of the internet.  While in many instances I think the internet  has isolated  and distanced us from genuine human interaction, it has also birthed this completely new community that provides outlets so we feel less  isolated.

Sometimes I do feel isolated. Especially without college. College was this natural community where you constantly had people to talk to about various topics, sometimes even spiraling into one of those under-the-oak-tree-ponder-the-meaning-of-life-lets-change-the-world conversations. Those don’t happen as much at work.

I am lucky enough to really love my job; and I have good friends and a great social life. But there is still something missing. I think it’s called Community. I wish there was more of it. But it seems to be something that is fading away. I know it still exists in pockets, but I’m learning more and more that if I really want it – especially in this post graduate state of my life -  I’m going to have to create it.

So this blog is one of the ways in which I am trying to do this.  I hope you will join me =)