"We don't even know how strong we are..." 
- Isabel Allende  

We don't know how beautiful we are either. In fact, some people think they have no beauty at all, inside or out. 

I've heard too many people say things like "When God was giving out beauty, I got passed over." 

Seriously, I've heard those exact words after presentations about The Twelve Gifts, especially from men, while they chuckle and joke about themselves. 

In case you think you lack beauty, please take this prayerful quote from Macrina Wiederkehr to heart:

"Oh God, help me to believe the truth about myself, no matter how beautiful it is."   

There's a widespread limited perspective about talent, too. It's a belief that talent applies only to outstanding ability and performance in athletics, the arts, and academics. Talent is much richer and broader than that. 

Please believe: Strength beyond your strength is available to you. And you have more beauty than you can imagine. This goes for talent, courage, and all your gifts.

Please believe.

With love and faith,

Charlene

THE FIRST GIFT IS STRENGTH. 

May you remember to call upon it 

whenever you need it. 

- from The Twelve Gifts of Birth