We can all be very hard on ourselves and many of us have a very self-critical inner voice that is hard to tune out.

So, in an effort to give us all a boost, what are you good at? What is something, anything that makes you feel proud, strong, happy to be you?

kk~

I am stronger than I think I am. Sometimes, the thought of my workload wears me down. But I usually end up getting stuff done. And getting my stuff done always makes me feel good. I get that "Look what I did" feeling. And then I can take a break without the guilty conscience.

kk~

Oh man, do I need this right now.

I'm really, really good at making people laugh. I can crack up pretty much anyone. I tend to have a more sarcastic and snarky sense of humor, but I'm also quick with a reply, which helps.

I can learn almost anything in a short period of time. Whether it's something new for my job or changing a tire, I can pick things up a lot more quickly than most people.

I'm a very passionate person. This can bite me in the butt sometimes, but I'm used to it. I'd rather risk getting hurt and loving someone (or something) with my whole self than doing it halfway.

I am a very good communicator. This applies to personal, romantic relationships as well as friendships, work related communications, etc. I never feel at a loss for words for how to express myself. I like this because it means that I can let a lot of stress out simply by stating why I feel the way I feel.

This thread could NOT have possibly popped up at a better time. Just five minutes ago I was blubbering my head off for stupid, trivial reasons (a slight weight gain). It's time to put things into perspective and remember what really matters.

I'm a sensitive, compassionate ball of mush. People are drawn to me because I care about them. I love to smile, hug, and listen to my friend's problems and let them vent. I worry about people. I like to surprise people with baking or coffee or a high five or whatever. Watching others feel good makes me feel good in turn, and it's infectious. It pains me to say this, but I'm definitely kinder than the average bear.

Yoga makes me feel strong, and I'm getting pretty decent at it. I think my ability to stay in a boiling room for 90 minutes without giving kind of surprised me at first - I didn't think I had it in me. But I did. So whenever I get through another practice, I feel SO empowered.

I'm a perfectionist. While many might see this as a negative trait, I'm trying to focus on the benefits it reaps. I tend to get things done and do them right. I see flaws all over the place and immediately go to correct them, which results in a noticeably better end result - even if it means I took a little bit longer than others might to get it done. It means I'm organized, careful, and willing to see things from every angle in order to finish things and finish them correctly. By seeing my unavoidable perfectionism as a positive characteristc instead of a hindrance, I've been able to hugely increase my problem solving and critical thinking abilities, and it's made me super good at math throughout the years. I'm rocking out in my finance class!

I have amazing, amazing friends. Seriously, if your friends are a reflection of yourself, I'm. amazing.

I live life by my own beat. Societal pressure, pressure from ex-friends, any external pressures in general do not affect my decisions. I do things my way. Mostly it's because I'm as stubborn as a the most stubborn thing you can think of, but I hold onto my values even when faced with conflict.

Even when I'm at my lowest, I know I will always overcome. I came by that knowledge too young in my opinion, but it's served me well.

I am diplomatic. I don't lose my cool easily, and I find it easy to diffuse situations that might have others flying off the handle. I'm an empath, I am patient and I am pretty articulate. This makes me good at my job and keeps my life pety drama free. Hand in hand with that, I'm good in an emergency.

I have a strong sense of self. There are things I believe in committing myself to and things I am dead set against, and even though it has always meant I've been a little bit 'different' , I've always remained true to myself.

I'm pretty cute, too. I like the way I dress and I like my taste.

I'm passionate about things I love. I believe in giving everything you have and dedicating your time wholeheartedly to the things that are important. I know what I want to do in life, I know what to do that will help me get there.

I'm real. I'm not fake. It's so hard to come by people that are REAL and UP FRONT these days. And I know that sometimes it's not the smoothest path to travel down, but it's what I choose to do and I don't regret it, even when it gets me in some petty situations. If I don't like you, you'll know, but I won't interact with you and act like I do. But if I DO like you, it's pretty obvious. And I definitely don't play hard to get or send mixed signals.

I'm open minded. It doesn't take much to get me to see your side of a story or an issue. I'm willing to try to understand your logic and give the benefit of the doubt.

I love this thread. So much. Thank you.

More from me.

I am generous. Sometimes, to a fault, but I strongly believe in giving and giving generously. To my family, friends and strangers, too. It comes back to you tenfold! Not just money, but also time, advice, help, etc. Anything I can do, I am glad to do so.

Everyone feel free to post more than once!

kk~

I am patient and kind. I am proud of those things, because I wasn't always. I am smart and efficient, I understand things easily and often just "know" the best way to get things done. I am funny and people tell me that my smile is very warm.

Need this thread, you have no idea how frustrated with an assignment right now!

...This is hard, but not going to cop out.

Ummm, I'd say my ambition is a good thing. I seek out varied experiences just for the hell of it, and it makes me take a much more scenic, "less travelled road". Reminds me of one of my favourite quotes, "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference."

Passion is another thing-if I am passionate about something, no person and no thing can stop me fighting for what I think is right. I will not be deterred.

And lastly, endurance. When I fail, I laugh and dust myself off again. Because really, I'd rather try a million things and fail a tonne, because there's always that chance of hitting the jackpot experience, and besides, don't those failures sometimes make the funniest stories in hindsight?

I'm quite good at writing things. It's my preferred method of communication and I make a bit of petty cash out of it.

I'm actually a very caring person, sometimes to a fault because I'll often start crying if there's a poorly animal or person on tv. I used to pretend I was a bit of an Officer Hardass, and my head of year at school always used to tell me "never be afraid to let your soft side show". I think she wrote it in my leaver's book too. For years I pooh-poohed this ridiculous notion that I was a softie, but that crazy old bat knew me better than I did. The older I get the more sentimental I get. I feel sorry for tat in gift shops! The point of this is, I might not have 1,000 friends but the ones I do have, I really care about. I'm getting better at telling and showing them, which I never used to do because I was scared of looking fake even though I just struggled to express things properly. I'm getting better at not taking things literally, trying to be a bit more perceptive.

My dancing teacher told me I had nice feet the other day. No-one has ever said that to me in my entire life! They hurt a lot but occasionally they look the part.

I learn things very quickly. You only have to show me how to do something (use a piece of software, for example) once, and it's in there *knocks on skull*. I remember these things quite well as well.

I'm efficient. I get my work done about twice as fast.

I'm tenacious. I usually won't give up until it looks like there's absolutely no hope. Even then, I might still hang on just in case.

Good thread.
And keep in mind that we also have this board:
www.dance.net . . .

1.I am pretty good at solving financial problems that leave people stumped. I can easily calculate foreign exchanges, solve complex accounting issues, and I follow the stock market religiously.

2. I get along well with animals. Whenever I go over, animals like to come play with me, and unfriendly cats always end up on my lap.

3. I have a lot of patience explaining basic commands to people. Someone can ask me 100 times how to get on the internet, and I don't feel inpatient at all. I can calmly explain a problem without getting heated and frustrated.

4. I am pretty good at looking at the end result and making plans on making it happen. I planned my whole college career and what I wanted to do by the time I was 14. I planned out all my classes, AP tests, and where I wanted to transfer. Basically I made my "adult" goals at 14 and I have stuck to every single one of them.
It is unfortunate seeing people mess up their adult life because of the lack of planning as a teen.

5. I can tell each kind of fish in sushi with my eyes closed.

I think I'm pretty good at keeping peoples' personal stories to myself when they need to share things. (I don't like the word "secret" when referring to some things, as I think it implies something that requires secrecy, whereas most of the time it's just none of other peoples' business.)

I'm good at listening to people and figuring out what's up... reading peoples' moods, and helping them feel better!