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I told my husband recently that I would have made a good NFL running back. He only said, ‘hmmmmmm,” I reminded him that as we had watched a playoff game with that new camera that gives you a close up but panoramic view, I saw Peyton Manning hand off to his running back and it looked like there was absolutely nowhere to run.

Suddenly I saw an opening, a narrow pathway veering off at an angle. Edgerrin James cut quickly into the seam moving effortlessly through that opening for a 7-yard gain. I realize that is one of my strengths, talents, and gifts- finding that seam. My family and friends often follow me in a crowd because I navigate by scanning ahead, finding an opening and moving quickly through it. It is a flow experience for me. (Steve reminded me that there might be more to being a running back than just finding that seam---oh well!)

When you know and identify your natural gifts, you can flow through many areas of life. I think one of the reasons I am so optimistic is because of that knowing-- that there is always that opening ahead even when I feel blocked and without options. It is a gift that I bring to my coaching clients because I can optimistically encourage them to find their own seams.

You have strengths and gifts that you may not even realize are valuable. Knowing and embracing what you do so effortless, is a big step toward living in the flow.

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