Your Strengths Are Your Differences

I know I usually do a wrap-up of Castle and Hawaii Five-O, but I don't have a lot of good things to say about last night's offerings.  I thought some of the scenes went too far and were in poor taste.  The only redeeming factor for Hawaii Five-O was Wo Fat's appearance.  But even then we had to believe that Danny had such bad aim, he couldn't hit Wo Fat who had barely any cover and a rifle to defend himself with?  Yeah, not so much.

So today I'd like to tell you where I've been this morning.  I went to see J. Scott Savage's presentation to an elementary school.  If you don't know who J. Scott Savage is, then you've been missing out.  You can click here to go to his website to find out more about his books.  (Case File 13 Zombie Kid is out and if you have middle grade children, they will definitely want this book. My kids loved it!)

So, he started out his presentation talking about what kinds of books we like to read (the kids roared when he asked if anyone liked smooching books.  Haha!)  Then he did a Zombie rap which was hilarious (especially the bling and glasses.  It added just the right touch.)  And then he talked about how when he was a kid, he was a little different.  He liked to daydream and think up stories and sometimes people thought he was weird.  But that difference became his strength because now he makes a living making up stories.  He told about three other people who were different, people who had others tell them they couldn't achieve their dreams, but they went on and did it anyway.  Their differences became their strengths because they had the drive to keep going no matter what.

The kids that J. Scott Savage was talking to were completely enthralled.  It was amazing how he had engaged them, not only in what he was saying, but also in what he was doing.  He helped them see that they can write a story (they started one right there on the stage).  He helped them see that there are people who like to make up stories and people who like to read them.  Everyone's different and that's good.  I wish you could have been there because I don't think I'm doing it justice at all.  But it was just incredible and fun.

It made me think as I was driving home, am I encouraging my children in their differences?  How can I help them turn something that they may not think is all that great into a strength?

At the end of the day, I think I'm grateful for my own differences.  I can disappear into my own world and write stories that other people like to read.  I am so grateful for that and for the opportunities I've had because of it.  My strengths have grown out of being a little different.

Do you believe our differences can be our strengths?  And have you read any of J. Scott Savage's books?