Good at Loving People

My mom and I had just picked up my younger sister from the Salt Lake City airport and we were headed to Sundance to celebrate her birthday together. I can’t even remember a time before, or since, that we had gotten together like this so it was special and different.

My sister isn’t one for small talk so every conversation is deeper and meaningful, which is something I love about her. She turned around from the front seat and asked out of the blue, “what is something you know you are good at, something about your true self?”

I hesitated. Because I didn’t have an answer right away. Because I could have launched into a list of all my perceived failings that I know all too well. I mean, ask me what I am not good at and I can tell you! I’m not good at so many things. Really.

And I am not saying that with an aura of self pity or even noble humility.

I’m human, and my interests have always been so varied and I’ve dabbled from one area to the next so often that I haven’t let myself feel truly good at something or reach a level of mastery that I think warrants notice. Even at the end of earning a Master of Music degree in violin performance — I allowed myself to feel epically inadequate as I gave a final bow in the concert hall as my graduate recital came to a close.

I also hesitated because what if I didn’t really know myself well enough to even answer this question? Did I know what I was good at that wasn’t an exterior skill or talent?

I spied my mom out of the corner of my eye who seemed to be having the same inner dialogue I was having, but looking even more uncomfortable trying to settle on an answer to share.

The air in the car thinned between us all while my sister waited to hear our answers.

But out of the slog of all my negative thoughts I knew one thing — and I knew that I knew it —

I love people and I am good at it.

I deeply love people. I don’t care what their background or faith or life is like, I just love them. Knowing this about myself is reassuring as we move so often because I know I will love whoever we meet. I will want to know their story. I will want them to know they are loved. I will accept them and appreciate them.

I am good at loving people.

I’m not perfect, actually far from it. Even with all my mistakes, and shortcomings, if you ask me what I am good at now I will tell you, I am good at loving people.

What is something innate in you that you are good at?