How often do you give yourself a mental high-five? Do you catalog your positive attributes or focus more on your shortcomings? Can you name your gifts as quickly as your faults?

If you are like most people, you spend way more time looking at where you fall short of the mark rather than celebrating your unique perspective and personality. There is no one else on this planet that has had the exact same experiences or developed the same view of the world as you. You are truly one-of-a-kind.

The assignment on day 15 of my Gratitude Challenge is to focus on me, and to appreciate and give thanks for my unique personality, skills, and talents.

While I’m much, much better at this than I used to be, contemplating sharing this assignment with you fabulous readers awoke my gremlin.

One of the reasons my gremlin kicked in to high gear is because just last night I received news from an old friend that generated an instant and immediate fear-based reaction. So my gremlin had some fresh fodder for reminding me of my imperfection.

One of the reasons I truly love and appreciate myself is that I didn’t just sit there massaging that big wad of catabolic emotion. Instead, I fairly quickly did a centering exercise and shifted my focus to a better feeling subject. From that more anabolic place, I was able to revisit the unsettling topic and reframe my thoughts from it being a problem to an opportunity for my ultimate growth and expansion.

Whew, that felt better. And while I suspect that I will have to repeatedly visit that subject and refocus it to a better feeling thought, I know I can do it and the reward will be more than worth it.

So I love my self-awareness, my determination to focus on the things I do want, and even my imperfections that provide me with endless opportunities to learn, grow, and expand. I love my very dry sense of humor and how I often use humor to shift my perspective and energy level.

I love my connection to Source (God, the Universe, Higher Self—whatever works for you), and the expansiveness of my heart that can see that everyone deserves love—no matter what they may have done. I love my sense of loyalty, and my knowing that wellbeing is the dominate basis of All-That-Is.

My creativity and ability to write are high on my list of things I appreciate about myself. I appreciate that I’m a great care-giver to our two dogs and cats, and that I’m a good wife to my husband. I appreciate my amazing body that knocks itself out on my behalf. I appreciate my discipline that enables me to be consistent in my self-care.

I appreciate my emotional sensitivity and intuition that helps me connect with people at a deeper, heart-felt level. I appreciate that my intention is always to be a beneficial uplifter to others. I appreciate that I have a silly side that indulges in things like making up nonsensical songs for my pets.

I give thanks for me. I appreciate all the experiences that have led me to the person I am right now.

What are the things that you appreciate most about you? Go ahead and look. You are worth celebrating.

Together we can do it!