Beautifully Different

“You’re a helper, aren’t you?”

She asked this as she moved my arm from its dangling position near my head, and back onto the massage table.

“I am,” I laughed.

“I recognize it in you, because I am too,” she said.

“That’s funny, that you can pick up on those things,” I replied.”

“Oh, honey,” she answered. “You’re going to share a lot of your life and your energy with me today.  Let me help you today, and then you can go back into your world and help others.”

I’ve never had a massage therapist say anything about my personality or quirks, whether they picked up on them or not, but this one was dead on.  It’s even so scientifically supported that I have the free, Internet-version of the MBTI to prove it: I’m an ESFJ. “The Caregiver,” a supporter by nature.

I thought about where to go with this one, and I could’ve waxed philosophical about how we’re all the same, and we’re collections of energy swirling around in consciousness, and we’re all connected somehow. That’s fun and esoteric and all, but we are different.  At least in the way we understand and relate to each other.  So I could’ve raved about how much I love our differences, how I love to celebrate and embrace the differences between us.  But I’ve done that before.

Instead, I opted to crowd-source this one, and was delighted at the response I got from some of the people that know me well.  It was also amazing to see the parallels between what different people – who have known me varying amounts of time – have to say.  It’s nice to know you’re consistent, and that I’m known best for a positive, bright outlook, my absolute love of supporting and caring for other people, and unquenchable thirst for living out loud.  If this is the message I’m sending my friends, I’m happy with where I’m at and even happier that the lenses I see myself through, are the same ones that my friends see me through.

I made a commitment this year to live my truth, and this feedback has been a strong testimony of having done that.

My mother says:

You are definitely a ‘people person’!!!!…..You’re like Mema [my great-grandmother who I was named after] in the sense that you never meet a stranger, and you’re open to new adventures. You are my prodigal daughter, and you are making YOUR way in the world. Stay enthusiastic, eager to learn, eager to try new things, and eager to live.  And, oh yeah, you were always Mema’s ‘sunshine’….and that has always been a good description of you….you are always ‘sunny’.

My father says:

Doniree has a positive outlook on life and that gets spread to the people she meets.
Speaking of meeting people, Doniree loves to meet new people, and is very interested in their life and adventures.
Doniree is interested in what people have to say, whether there’s agreement or not.
Doniree makes people feel at home.
Doniree enjoys ‘serving’ people and doing things for them.

Nicole says:

When you’re talking to someone, you listen fully. You don’t partially listen, you actively listen and make your friends feel heard and understood.

Chelsea says:

“At one of the darkest moments in my life, Doni was not only there to shine light on the dark situation I was in, but to bring a calm, nurturing and unconditional love and support. Doni will always find a way to make you see the sunshine and roses, no matter how dark and twisty you are- and that is why she is a soul sister to me.”

Sydney says I am:

• passionate about all things awesome
• ridiculous curiosity for food and wine and beverages which makes me love you
• yoga is your skydiving, nuff said on that one.
• you’re my favorite go-to gut-check before I post a particularly scary post. And you make my life sparkle because of it.

Jackie says:

You are one of the most sweetest, kindest, consciously present, patient and strong friends I have ever met. You make me feel safe, lift my spirits and know how to make me giggle. You are also incredibly cuddly

Grace says:

The most optimistic person I know.  Kind.  Infectious giggles.  Brilliant.  Multi-tasker extrordinare, you succeed with many things on your plate.  Self-starter.  I love how you can teach yourself essentially anything you want to dive into or learn. <3

Jodi says:

You cradle me– my dreams, my ideas, my reactions– with a mothering spirit and unconditional acceptance and love. And because of this you make me believe that I am magical, that I can do anything. And I believe you.

Rachel says:

Can I answer this by just saying “EVERYTHING”, because that was the first thing that came to my mind. You have this infectious way about you, this zest for life that rubs of on everyone around you. You’re ambitious, but open and helpful, always willing to share everything that you can with other people to help them make their lives better. Your bubbly personality, your sense of adventure and your ability to remind everyone around you to be present and really savor each moment makes you so different than anyone I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Everything that you do absolutely lights me up and reminds me that so much is possible.

It was tough not to post this without feeling wildly narcisstic and self-lovey, but that was the point of this right?  I’m accepting the fact that it’s ok to ask my friends what’s so great about me, anyway, and to revel in their answers and in the blessings that are the kinds of relationships I’ve come to cultivate over the past few years – or decades, in the case of my parents here.

Tagged as: beautifully different, celebrate differences, reverb10, unique, what makes you special