Often we look for our strengths when we look for our life purpose. Sometimes it’s just so difficult to see our strengths! All we can see are faults and weaknesses. So I find it interesting to think how weaknesses can give clarity on life purpose!

A weakness can simply be defined as a useful natural quality that shows up at a bad time!

Inquiring into weakness with this perspective can reveal important clues to life purpose.

For eg:

One of my weaknesses is impatience.

A good question to ask is -

What’s the the useful natural quality I have that is showing up as impatience?

The answer is time-sensitivity.

In certain circumstances [usually when someone else is not being time-sensitive] this quality can be a real pain! And through these painful situations I will soon learn to deal with my impatience better. However let’s deepen the inquiry and ask

How is the quality of time-sensitivity contributing to my strengths?

There are many circumstances in which my time-sensitivity is a strength – making deadlines, being punctual, calling ahead of time to confirm appointments, calling if I am going to be late, etc.

Clearly this is an extremely useful quality to have. Many people appreciate that I am on time. They see me as being dependable and reliable and trustworthy because of this. Suddenly this inquiry allows me to see that I can be an asset in situations that require time-sensitivity. And wherever I am an asset is closely linked to my purpose!

Let’s examine some more so-called weaknesses then. You’ll see that the qualities that lie under each weakness are the same qualities that fuel your strengths.

The same natural qualities lie behind our weaknesses and strengths

Exercise

What are some of your ‘weaknesses’? What natural qualities underlie them? And what strengths do you get from those same qualities? In what kind of life situations and careers can these strengths make you an asset?

This exercise will help you see your weaknesses and strengths as two sides of the same coin of natural qualities. This exercise will also help you to accept those weaknesses. And in that acceptance lies the possibility of transformation.

Wishing you Lightness