Joywork Part 3: Simplify Your Life and Know Your Value

All over the world, there are vendors and crafts people who share their goods. Although their goods are very different they have one thing in common, they know the value of what they offer. A man who sells coconuts from his cart, understands he's giving more than coconuts. His warm smile and friendly conversation are part of his gift. The gleam in his eyes, the glow of his smile, say "Life is good." This is his Joywork. Sweet and simple. Wherever you live in the world, you will simplify your life when you respect your worth, honor your excellence, and focus on your genius. Respect Your Worth You respect your worth when you acknowledge it. When a friend or colleague leans in and points out how good you are. . . acknowledge it. You're not boasting. You are agreeing. Agree and give thanks. As friends unveil it, don't scramble to hide it. A "Thank you" is your most powerful form of acknowledgement. You thank your friend for noticing and your Creator for the gift. Always acknowledge your worth. And, if this makes you uneasy, find out why. Find out what makes you feel unworthy. When you validate and respect your worth, you validate and respect your existence. Never place "just" in front of anything you do. "I'm just a ..." translates to "What I do doesn't mean much." "It's not really that important." This may not be your intention, but that's what "just" communicates. Everything in creation has value. You simplify your life by acknowledging your worth and your existence. Honor Your Excellence Did you know your excellence is a living thing? It has to be as a part of you. Every part of you is living and breathing. You honor your excellence each and every time you allow it to speak to you. Just listening to yourself says, "Yes, I accept you, I welcome you." And, each time you do, you gain new insights into your particular excellence and suggestions on how to use it. You honor your excellence when you allow it to grow. Each stage of growth brings new strengths and ideas to the heart of what you do. See your excellence as a living, breathing thing. One that grows or "dies" with your attention to it or rejection of it. Focus On Your Genius Believe it or not, you are an artist, a genius, no matter what you do. Whether you're a writer, a teacher, a mom, or a therapist, you were given a particular genius. Your challenge is to figure out how your handful of gifts are working for you. You simplify your life by putting your genius to work. The man who sells coconuts knows his genius isn't found in the coconut. It's his authenticity. His personality. His kindness and friendship are more important than the "thing" he sells. No matter what you sell, it's "you" that you offer. No matter what you give to others, "you" are at the heart of it all. Your life will be more amazing than you've ever dreamed when you focus on your genius. It will simplify your life and make it sweeter everyday. Copyright 2011. Asia Sharif-Clark. All rights reserved.