Strengths

Write down a list of all (and I do mean all) your personal strengths, attributes, and character traits that would get you through if you were to be abandoned. Next write down a list of people and outside resources that would help you ‘survive’. Even take some time to imagine how you’d cope, then thrive.

My Faith in God                                   Resourceful                             Spiritual

I am Persistent                                    Friendly                                   Committed

I have inner strength                           Compassionate                        Creative

I have a kind heart                               Intelligent                               Dainty

Resilient                                              Affectionate                            Brave

Strong willed                                       Emotional                                Devoted

Capable                                                Shy                                           Dreamer

Responsible                                         Respectful                               Hard working

Eager                                                   Easy going                                Faithful

Fighter                                                 Forgiving                                  Fun loving

Gentle                                                 Beautiful                                  Honest

Hospitable                                           Imaginative                              Polite

Hopeful                                                Healthy                                    Patient

Light-hearted                                      Joyful                                      Appreciative

Merciful                                               Obedient                                 Trustworthy

Trusting                                               Heartfelt                                  Peaceful

Playful                                                 Pleasant                                   Quiet

Senstive                                               reliable                                    sentimental

Serious                                                 Sincere                                                Thankful

Thoughtful                                           Tolerant                                   Warmhearted

                                   

I am honestly having a hard time thinking of my personal strengths, attributes and character traits.  I don’t really view myself as being strong, but as weak.  I don’t know how I survived the things that I have overcame like cancer.  Personal strengths have always been a hard thing for me to think about even when I go for job interviews and things.  I have a really hard time seeing what my strengths are, but I know all my weaknesses.  The list I have here took me a long time to come up with and I admit I went online to see a list of character traits and added ones I felt described me.  But its hard to think of it when asked, without the use of google.  I need to work on that.

Now for the second part.  List of people who would support me:

My mom                                   Melissa                         Kate

My step-dad (daddy)                Therapist                     Amanda

My Brother                               Church Family             

My Pastors                               Tom                            

I don’t feel like I have many people in my life that I feel close enough to anymore.  A lot of people left or faded away.  I have some friends that I have tried to keep in contact with but when I try they still fade away like Terry, we were great friends and life got in the way of talking everyday, now when I try to talk to him, he barely responds.  How do I hold on to people I cherish when they fade away, when they don’t play an active role in the friendship that I try to do.  I admit there are times when I am jealous that Tom has friends that he’s known for years, whereas most of mine left me and barely talk to me anymore no matter how hard I try.

How would I cope, I know I would cry.  That’s my fall back coping mechinism and I don’t know how to change it.  I would pray with my pastors, write out how I am feeling, talk with my friends, take time for myself, read, listen to uplifting songs.