Belonging arises from the decision to show up and allow yourself to be seen. If you’re holding back, thinking you’re not good enough or trying to avoid ridicule, it won’t matter what anyone else does. You won’t feel like you belong because you’re not actually present. We all want community. Our culture revolves around being included. We want to belong. Yet, many of us rarely … [Read more...] about Creating Community: Does Anyone Ever Truly Belong?
identity
True Belonging Inside of the Storm
In the past I have betrayed myself to “keep the peace.” This choice isn't benign. When I betray myself, a brick lodges inside my body, either as physical pain, anxiety, resentment, or general irritability. I grab the forecasted cloud of conflict and swallow it whole. What does it mean to find community? To belong? My body answers with a soft sigh of understanding … [Read more...] about True Belonging Inside of the Storm
Finding Your Community: Essential Support for Parents of Gifted Children
Once I eventually found other parents who truly understood the challenges of gifted parenting, I could finally relax. I no longer felt compelled to downplay, minimize, or “undo” my sons’ experiences. I stopped worrying about whether my motivations, concerns, or joys would be misperceived, and could engage in a supportive, meaningful dialogue about strategies and … [Read more...] about Finding Your Community: Essential Support for Parents of Gifted Children
Living an Accidental Life
My choice would have an impact far beyond anything I could conceive of, and I sensed that. I had accidentally created the haven I’d craved— needed—when I was young, and if I walked away from it, what did that mean? For me? For others? For the community I’d created? I have lived accidental life. For instance, I’d started off my postsecondary … [Read more...] about Living an Accidental Life
I’m Not Gifted. I’m Just Weird.
The first date with Devin* was at a coffee shop, and over the next week, we decided to meet for dinner. We went to a restaurant that’s part of a large US chain. We opened the slightly unwieldy menus. “My oh my, what to order.” He used a funny, silly voice. “I think I’ll order the kreplach.” I peered over the menu. “Did you just speak Klingon?” Devin didn’t smile. Then … [Read more...] about I’m Not Gifted. I’m Just Weird.
Building Metacognition in Gifted Students for Future Success
The ultimate goal is to empower your child with a positive self-identity, an exercise crucial to a healthy and centered child. Indeed, with and through this foundation, the child can develop social skills, learn emotional regulation, develop an expressive vocabulary to communicate deep thoughts and emotions, and learn executive functioning skills necessary for lifelong … [Read more...] about Building Metacognition in Gifted Students for Future Success
Gifted Feelings
This is the eternal balancing act: being grateful for the superpowers we have as gifted humans and practicing self-love, patience, and perspective when our intensities take over our brains and bodies. In the end, it’s my hope that gifted people realize their giftedness as a gift rather than a guillotine. I love the question posed in this inaugural issue of The GHF … [Read more...] about Gifted Feelings
Resolution Reframe
It was during the eight weeks of the SENG Parent group that I began to reflect on my experiences as a gifted child. I realized that I had let my gifted identity go underground, as many gifted girls do. This really gave me the tools to help my daughters think and talk about their giftedness. My New Year’s resolution is the same this year as it has been for much of my … [Read more...] about Resolution Reframe
The Gifted Journey: How My Definition of Gifted Has Changed Throughout My Life
I’ve seen the many ways that the word gifted can affect an individual, whether it’s a newfound sense of identity, a sense of relief, or, my favorite, a realization that there are other people out there like you. In seeing this over the last few years, I’ve learned that for many, the word gifted is a community. It is a place to call home. It is a safe space. It is a place to be … [Read more...] about The Gifted Journey: How My Definition of Gifted Has Changed Throughout My Life
Being Seen—An Elixir for the Sensitive Soul
“I see you.” Three magnificent little words. Yet they're powerful enough to heal us because, as human beings, we all have an innate need to be seen. Even if we don’t admit it, most of us have a sincere wish for someone to accurately and kindly witness what’s happening inside of us: what we really feelwhat we fearwhat we want and needwhat we love and cherishwhat … [Read more...] about Being Seen—An Elixir for the Sensitive Soul