Beth Lee Connects The Dots
One of the best things about writing a book such as my Is Your Genius At Work? is that I get notes like the one below. It came from Beth Lee [Facebook link], who attended a workshop based on that book that I led in Fargo as a guest of Jodee Bock.
First, a little background. This is what I mean when I use the term “genius”:
Your genius is your divine spark, the essence of how you can best express yourself, specifically chosen to guide and protect you. It is a gift to you, and your gift to others. It attends you and you alone, and is not duplicated anywhere else on the planet. You are responsible for it and to it. It shows up, seeking expression, in everything you do. It is not your purpose; it serves your purpose. It is not your calling, but a power given to you to fulfill your calling. It is not your soul, but the energy of your soul. It is not out there somewhere in the future, but is present now. It has always been with you, and will always be with you. It will not change, though your understanding of it may grow. Regardless of these lofty and weighty notions, it is your natural power. It comes readily and easily unless you get in its way by ignoring it or dismissing it as insignificant.
During the workshop, each participant engages in a number of exercises to find a name for his or her genius. They wear the names on name tags, which Beth refers to as a “badge.” Here is what Beth wrote as a post on Facebook:
Ever since the Genius workshop, I’ve had this process in the back of my mind and think about what my Genius is. Every so often, something will come to me, and I’ll throw on that “badge” for a while and try it out. Lately, I’ve also been taking a lot of those various personality tests, the color assessment thing, and so forth. I’m finding a lot of trends, but the funny thing is, none of them really surprise me; but have been great at putting into words a clearer description of who I am and how I function, and have given me some real “aha!” moments where I think “yes! That is SO me! It IS okay to be that way!” LOL
So this “badge” has been in my mind for a while, and I’d like to share with all of you.
My name is Beth Lee, and my Genius is “Connecting the Dots.”
It’s funny how this all transpired. There are so many facets as to how I perceive the statement “connecting the dots” and it all seems to fit me. I had been mulling this badge over in my mind for a while. My big moment, though, was recently when a friend up and quit his job. It brought out the best in me, and I sprang into action – not only did I help him “connect the dots” as to how this phase in his life was leading to other (better) things, but also connecting him to various people, and helping him connect the dots to be at peace with what he already knew was the right decision… it was a rush for me, and I thought, “what am I doing? Am I connecting the dots? YES! Hey, maybe this badge really IS the right one!!!” LOL
But it fits right in with all these personality tests, too… about being a “thinker” and “analytical” and so forth. Always asking questions, etc. I’m connecting the dots, looking for solutions, new ways to gather information, piece it all together… But when I think about all the other parts of my life, like how we also take in animals, and network and stuff to find them homes, it still fits. I try and connect the dots as to what they are, how they came to us, what they need, how we can help, who will give them a home, etc.
I also think about how I’m a graphic designer, and I “connect the dots” with artwork (more literal), but also in connecting information to ultimately find visual solutions (using the information that the client has provided me) to create a final product, it all really fits! Even when I clean the house, it’s like “connecting the dots” in that I think about my entire game plan of “if I want to clean this, then I have to clean this, move this, shift this, then go here, and taadaa!” LOL I can totally see how this “Connecting the Dots” thing fits into my life in all sorts of areas!
It’s exciting to find this part of myself!!
I replied to Beth, repeating what a friend once told me, “The discovery of your genius is like looking in a mirror and really seeing yourself for the first time, and really liking what you see.”
Then Beth wrote, “Love that statement, Dick! It really is kind of how it feels! It’s like finally finding that piece of buried treasure you’ve known was there the whole time, but were never quite able to unearth… now that you have it, you can dust it off, polish it, and wear it with pride for the whole world to see and enjoy right along with you!!!”
It is just flat-out marvelous to be a part of discoveries such as Beth’s. And her notes remind me to say “thanks” to those who touch my life in ways that promote my own self-awareness and growth.
(Chapter 1 of Is Your Genius at Work? (pdf) is HERE for you to download and read. The book’s page on amazon.com is HERE)
______________________________________
Thanks for reading. Leave a comment >>
![[Bloglines]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/bloglines.png)
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Google]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[LinkedIn]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/linkedin.png)
![[MySpace]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Squidoo]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/squidoo.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Technorati]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Twitter]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://www.ridingondragons.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Great points to ponder–I have also found that sometimes I didn’t realize I was the instrument to help to connect the dots until much later. It was actually in reflection that I could see my role and how that integrated into the bigger picture…life can be so odd, can’t it?
Thanks for stopping in Julie. I wish I knew all the times that my role in the “bigger picture” was clear but, alas, it almost never is. So I try to content myself with what is right in front of me and let the bigger picture take care of itself. It always does anyway!
Dick: Thanks so much for sharing Beth’s story here. Every day she gets a little more clear with her purpose and vision – I can actually see her dots connecting! Thanks for being such a catalyst for evolution here in Fargo! We’re already talking about next summer!!
Jodee
What a timely post to remind me that I have been meaning to read this book Dick.
I am hooked after downloading chapter one. Very exciting! With your guidance, I
hope to be connecting my own dots a little more consciously before taking my next job.
Jodee — we’re thinking about next summer in Fargo too. Always a delight.
Rhonda — I’m glad you are going to read. Be patient with it (and with yourself) through the process.