Hey there! Ever thought about what makes you awesome? For over 20 years, I’ve been working with kids and families in the hospital as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Recently, I’ve been introducing something super cool to people in the hospital: character strengths. These are traits that make us who we are and are valued by people everywhere.
A Cool Exercise with Damian
Let me tell you about a recent visit I had with Damian, a 17-year-old who was fighting cancer. I brought with me a list of the 24 Character Strengths, created by a bunch of smart psychologists who studied what makes people tick across different cultures and times. When I walked into Damian’s room, he was sitting quietly in the dark. I asked if he wanted to try a fun activity with me, and after a little hesitation, he said yes. I handed him the list and asked him to circle the strengths he thought fit him. He started marking a few—like humor and honesty—then bravely circled bravery. Right then, Mary, his nurse, came in. We told her what we were doing, and she immediately saw Damian’s strengths as creativity, curiosity, and hope. Damian noticed Mary’s strengths, like kindness and teamwork. As Mary left with a smile, Damian’s mom came in with his dinner and jumped into the activity too. She saw Damian’s strengths as spirituality, love, perseverance, bravery, and kindness. Damian grinned and said, “Mom, your strengths are love and kindness (thanks for dinner), and also gratitude and zest. You’re so full of energy!” I left them to enjoy their meal while they kept spotting strengths.
Why Spotting Strengths Rocks
Finding and celebrating strengths in yourself and others can be seriously empowering. It’s like working out a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. When you focus on your strengths, you feel more engaged and confident, and it helps lower stress. Plus, it makes life feel more meaningful and satisfying. So why not start spotting your strengths and those of the people around you?
Find Out Your Strengths
If you’re curious about what your own strengths are, check out the VIA Institute on Character (www.viacharacter.org) for a cool survey. They’ve got different surveys for teens (ages 10-17) and adults. Also, don’t miss the 8-minute video, "The Science of Character," for some extra inspiration!
Rachel Gorman is a workshop trainer, speaker, facilitator, and coach who helps people and teams boost their energy, wellness, engagement, and overall vibe. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, education, and the nonprofit world, Rachel knows how to help people shine their brightest.