What Kind of Gifted Person do You Want to Be?

Consider what propels you forward rather than holding yourself back

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Who do you want to be?

I posed this question a few years ago. A strange question, I know. After all, we are who we are. 

Yet, as a gifted person, you might relish the fruits of your powerful mind or creativity or intensity or even your multipotentiality – or you might resent being gifted and view it as a burden. Either way, you are no more responsible for your intellectual strengths than for your eye color. Right?

Well... perhaps you do have some control. 

Many studies suggest that despite the heritability of intelligence, we all are affected by our environment... the impact of nutrition, early childhood deprivation, trauma, poverty, air pollution, and the quality of the education we received. There are lucky folks among us who seem to have hit the lottery; a smooth, easy ride through childhood, the absence of trauma, and supportive families and teachers. 

The rest of us... well, we have struggled. Or our giftedness remained hidden or misunderstood. Or we never fully reached our potential.

What path will you choose going forward?

In the aftermath of the recent US election (something I wrote about eight years ago!), gifted folks face questions about the next steps forward:

• How do I calm my overwrought nervous system? 

• How do I comfort my children/friends/family while my anxiety is reeling? 

• How do I respond to the divisiveness in our county?

• Where can I best offer my energy?

As folks regroup, lick their wounds (or bask in their election win), we all need to figure out how to coalesce as a Nation. And who is better prepared to tackle the next four years than those who think deeply and creatively, and can hold/understand/wrestle with the many complexities of the situation?

As a psychologist, writer, parent, and fellow traveler along this life journey, I have encountered many gifted folks. Some enthusiastically embrace life, learning, and their amazing potential. Others suppress and hide their talents and abilities. Still, others feel bitter and angry over lost opportunities and a world that misunderstands their intensity and differences. 

You, as a gifted person, are entitled to take charge of your life and utilize your talents and abilities!

Your passionate engagement with what is meaningful is the best possible use of your inherent strengths. Even if you have endured trauma or a lackluster education. Even if you have been bullied or never feel quite like you fit in. Even if you make mistakes and are far from perfect. Regardless of whether you are 15 or 50, you deserve to embrace your strengths and challenge yourself to expand your reach. 

For those whose candidate lost the election, give yourself time to grieve, commiserate and rest. Then, consider your path forward and how/when/where to direct your unique talents. Educate yourselves, volunteer, write, lead, create, and stay productive. Find a topic that concerns you most and get involved. For example, with proposed plans to dismantle the Department of Education, special services your child receives through an IEP or GIEP may be at stake. And always hold curiosity, an openness to listening, and a willingness to heal divisiveness close to your heart (even when it seems impossible!)

Find a cause that speaks to your passions and jump in. Your depth, complexity, and critical thinking skills are needed more than ever.

Poet Mary Oliver's wonderful quote applies here: 

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

What will you do? What kind of gifted person will you become? How will you tackle the challenges ahead?

This article is a revision of a similar article from 2022.