When I was a little girl, I remember bringing my broken curling iron to my dad, who assured me he could fix anything. His confidence filled me with trust, and I believed him wholeheartedly. Fast forward a few years, as a mom, I found myself carrying the belief that my worth depended on how well I could fix problems at home and elsewhere. But as I faced challenges, I became emotionally overwhelmed by all that I couldn’t control. I worried deeply about the world’s influence on my children—an influence I saw as ominous, capable of tarnishing their innocence and harming them. This burden left me feeling angry, overwhelmed, and stuck, unsure how to protect them.
In time, the gentle words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta came to me, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Her wisdom opened my heart to a profound truth—I didn’t have to do it all. Similarly, 25 years ago, when I shared motivated thoughts with my pastor, he reminded me, “It isn’t for you to decide that; it’s God who calls.” Those words shifted my perspective and shaped my journey forward.
From a Catholic understanding, we see the person as a beautiful creation made to give and receive love, equipped with unique strengths inspired by divine calling. In a world where we often feel pressure to conform, it’s easy to lose sight of our God-given gifts. Yet, as recent research in psychology supports, we are not meant to thrive in life for ourselves but for one another. Each of us holds a unique offering for good.
The PERMA model of Positive Psychology highlights that the strongest components foundational to human well-being lie in relationships and meaning (Seligman, 2011). It’s incredibly satisfying when we begin to understand our role in the grand puzzle of life. God’s gift of unique virtue strengths, what Positive Psychology calls signature strengths, is our mode to contribute to a better world in our special way. We are not called to solve every issue; instead, we’re invited to trust in His plan for us.
Part of discerning our happiness and purpose lies in recognizing our strengths and applying them with intention in our daily lives. Through Daily Examen and prayer, we deepen our understanding of ourselves. We start to see where God is nudging us to use our gifts, allowing gratitude and connection with others to flourish. As we grow in using those strengths, we flourish, and our anxieties fade, leaving space for joy in our uncertain and ever-changing society.
So, I encourage you to reflect: What are your character strengths? Where is God inviting you to use them? Embrace the beauty of your unique calling and remember that you are never alone in this journey. Your gifts are needed, and together, we can create ripples of love and goodness in the world.
References:
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.
To connect with Suzi Ellington, visit her directory profile at
https://www.catholiclifecoaches.com/suzanne-ellington
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