Miracle Season Contest: Week 3

Why is it easier to compliment a friend than acknowledge our own unique gifts? Too often, we receive a subtle message in childhood or early adulthood that we aren’t good enough, or special, or talented. Which is nonsense. We all have unique talents worth celebrating!

To enter this week’s contest: In a comment below, please tell me about your special talents. The world is a richer place because you are here, you’ve touched other people’s lives, and you’ve made contributions that matter. Brag, baby!

If you haven’t yet done so, enter Week 1 of the contest here and week 2 here. For extra points, you may also enter each week’s contest on my Facebook Author page and in the Women’s Fiction Fans group on Facebook.

You have until Jan 30th to enter each contest. All points go toward these prizes:

Grand Prize: $100 Gift Card to J Jill or Bed, Bath and Beyond and a signed copy of Sweet Lake or The Comfort of Secrets (winner’s choice with gift card and paperback)

Second Place: $50 Gift Card to J Jill or Bed, Bath and Beyond and a signed copy of Sweet Lake or The Comfort of Secrets (winner’s choice with gift card and paperback)

On Monday, February 5th, I’ll announce the winners in my newsletter. If you haven’t yet signed up for the newsletter, please do so here.

Good luck!

68 Comments

  1. Penny Wolters on January 22, 2018 at 10:45 am

    My special talent is loving my family with all my ❤️! My special talent is writing a personal letter to them telling them how very special they are to me! Being able to do that is a miracle to me as I come from a very dysfunctional family which was ruined by alcohol and mental health issues!

  2. Louetta Waters on January 22, 2018 at 10:59 am

    Special talent. Not sure if it’s special, it may be considered a talent (and hate that it sounds like bragging) but I have a special connection with older people. Was a nurses aide for almost 20 years, and when someone had a patient they couldn’t deal with, they got me. I always seemed to be able to calm most people down and, where a lot couldnt, I could deal with more abusive people. Not sure why, but it’s like GOD gave me extra empathy and patience, and I feel blessed!

  3. Bambi Rathman on January 22, 2018 at 10:59 am

    It’s great to read about all the wonderful talents and gifts others have. I love to crochet and especially thread crochet. It’s so fun making a string of thread into a piece of art. I also love helping animals. I have done animal relay and it’s so rewarding.

  4. Amy Coats on January 22, 2018 at 11:14 am

    I am a great listener for my friends. I’m actually going to stretch myself to go back to school to become a Marriage and Family Counselor.

  5. peggy clayton on January 22, 2018 at 11:45 am

    I love to crochet so i make baby blankets and donate them to the teen shelter so that all the babies go home in a home made blanket. I also make dish cloths and hot pads those i give to friends also we include them in the vegi bags that we give out in the summer. We grow a large garden and we put together bags of vegis for people that need food then when hubby leaves for work he drops them for me on the porches and no one knows who left them but they have many great nights dinners with the vegis

  6. Sharon Haan on January 22, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    I take care of my 7 year old granddaughter (she has Down syndrome), as she and her mama/my daughter live w us since the divorce 2 years ago. (Lily exclaims: “Nana, you’re my BEST friend!” She is my precious treasure, as are my other 3 grandkids. #5 is on the way!) I am also a good librarian and avid reader (8 years working in a library), a good gardener and plant lover (horticulture degree), and landscape designer. I love to draw and sew and embroider and do calligraphy. I love miniatures and have built and furnished 3 dollhouses. I love to sing w our church choir, and also sang w the praise team and sang duets w my hubby at our former church. Once I sang a solo for a ladies’ Christmas Tea program, but I am not really a soloist! I used to have 2 horses, and I love dogs, altho’ I don’t have any animal companions currently. I love to write – long, old-fashioned letters to send via snail mail, and I also write in my journal almost every day. I love to study God’s Word. Altho’ it took me some time to acknowledge this, God created me to be good at a lot of things. Thanks, God! ♡

  7. Deborah Murrill Blanchard on January 22, 2018 at 12:39 pm

    I love to write reviews. I feel that I have a special way of wording things that express to the author how much their hard work means to me. I hope that I make them happy. Their books make me happy.

  8. Jan Crossen on January 22, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    I support women authors by buying and reading their books, sharing their Facebook posts, and writing positive reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

  9. Andrea on January 22, 2018 at 2:37 pm

    I BELIEVE I HAVE BECOME QUITE TALENTED IN BEING A PANCREAS FOR MY 11 YEAR OLD TYPE 1 DIABETIC DAUGHTER. I TAKE HER LIFE IN MY HANDS DAY IN AND DAY OUT AND MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS THAT KEEP HER ALIVE AND HEALTHY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY.

    I BELEIVE THAT I AM ALSO A TALENTED SINGER, ALTHOUGH I DO NOT USE MY TALENT ANYMORE AS I SHOULD (WHICH IS RATHER DISAPPOINTING!)

    I AM A PRETTY GOOD CROCHETER AND CROSS STITCHER AS WELL!

    I MUST SAY I THINK I AM A PRETTY DARN GOOD WIFE AND MOTHER AS WELL

    • Christine Nolfi on January 22, 2018 at 3:56 pm

      Andrea, I believe you deserve a halo!

      Many thanks for entering the contest.

    • Sheri on January 25, 2018 at 11:20 am

      You are awesome, from one pancreas to another. My boy is 22 and we have been doing this for 15 years.

  10. Alisha Collins on January 22, 2018 at 2:57 pm

    I bake. My family always begs me to bake for any occasion we are getting together. My little sister always begs for my brownies, my mom for my red velvet cake, my brother in law begs for my peanut butter fudge pie, and my husband begs for my carrot cake or butter pecan cake. All are homemade never from a box. The brownies literally take just a few minutes to mix because I’ve made them so much. My mom says I take after my grandmother on my dads side because she can make anything you want and make it look so easy.

  11. Amy on January 22, 2018 at 8:04 pm

    Horseback riding and baking with my granddaughters.

  12. Jessica Madsen on January 22, 2018 at 8:38 pm

    I have the special talent of music, especially singing and directing. For 7 years I directed a children’s chorus (ages 7-12) and watched them go on into middle school and high school and sing there. I have also directed the music in my church group, 9 years with the children and 3 years as our choir director. I have also sung in a women’s chorus, and met my husband in a performing choir in college. I am now watching my kids sing everywhere and loving it!

  13. Jeannie D. on January 22, 2018 at 11:00 pm

    I play guitar, mandolin, dulcimer and banjo. I love to bake and decorate cookies. I sew and do costuming and I also tole paint. I rescue cats.

  14. Peggy Hyndman on January 23, 2018 at 10:30 am

    I love to knit and crochet and make various items for local nursing homes and homeless shelters.

  15. Jean White on January 23, 2018 at 12:03 pm

    I am the best grandmother to my grandchildren. I have more patience with them than I had with their fathers.

  16. Sandra Rodriquez on January 23, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    cooking or baking i’m not sure if its a special talent but love it either way!

  17. Lyn Ehley on January 23, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    Now that I’m retired from public library after 20+ years, I find that I influenced lots of children and adults over the years. Many cone up to me to tell their fun stories. I use my education to edit 5 self published authors as a hobby business. I have fun ready their books!

  18. Darlene Holley on January 23, 2018 at 1:45 pm

    I would say that my special talent is being a good listener and I never repeat what is told to me. It is always good to have someone that you can trust to just listen to you talk through what is bothering you without interrupting, just being there for them to vent is a wonderful gift.

  19. Jonella Moore on January 23, 2018 at 1:49 pm

    I don’t really consider myself talented, though I have been told that I have a way of comforting people who are in distress. I spent 25 years working as a RN in critical care areas where I dealt with seriously ill patients and their families. I have empathy for others that sometimes overwhelms me. I also love to paint and create beautiful artwork and I’m told I have some skill in that area. I consider my biggest talent as the ability to really listen to other people and discern what it is they need. My children say that they always know I will help them figure out what they need to do without actually telling them what to do, lol.

    • Christine Nolfi on January 23, 2018 at 3:31 pm

      Jonella, empathy is a great talent. Kudos for all your years of hard work as a critical care nurse.

      Thank you for entering the contest.

  20. Jeana K. on January 23, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    Whether it is someone I have known for years or a stranger, one of my special talents is listening and being compassionate.

  21. Anne L. Rightler on January 23, 2018 at 2:02 pm

    Over the years I have been one to send cards and notes of encouragement. Lately not so much. I am very involved in the care of 4 of our grandchildren (they are over every day and many times at least one spends the night) so I am being a good Nana, pouring love and encouragement into their lives. (The other 6 live out of state so I keep in touch thru FaceTime and sending care packages!)

  22. Rita Wray on January 23, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    I was a great mother when my children were young. I always put them first and made sure they were happy. I’m doing the same now with my grandchildren. I would do anything for them, they are a great joy in my life.

  23. Vicki Spillman on January 23, 2018 at 2:59 pm

    I raised two children on my own. I felt abandoned when my ex-husband left and I didn’t know how I was going to raise my children. With counseling, help from my parents and with my faith in God, I raised two wonderful and loving children.

  24. Becky Frank on January 23, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Special Talent Week. This is difficult in that I never think about what I bring to everyday life.I would hope, compassion, what wisdom I do have I will share, the intuitiveness and energy healing that is needed from time to time, friendship, love, peace, I think I’m a pretty good listener, and understanding. Bottom line, I am still just a person living in this dimension so yes, there are times I roll my eyes, I cry, I worry, and I get angry. So I guess my special talent is learning to be human.

  25. Kim Kight on January 23, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    Talking with those who are in domestic violence situations. As a survivor, I pray that I can at least save someone from a bad relationship.

  26. Anne on January 23, 2018 at 4:34 pm

    I am a loving, caring, thoughtful, empathetic and devoted grandmother, bubbe to my 4 grandchildren who are delightful and give me hope and are delightful. I give them love, hugs, picnics to the park, read to them, and have them over to lunches, suppers, snacks and we go walking, biking and enjoy our precious time together.

  27. Toni A Laliberte on January 23, 2018 at 5:01 pm

    My special talents are anything to do with words; reading, playing Scrabble, crosswords, spelling, writing poetry or essays, and speaking, of course. Lol.

  28. Joye I on January 23, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    My special talent is that I am artistic and very creative. I am a watercolor artist and have sold several of my paintings.
    I always liked to sew, do needlework, make craft items and anything where I can “make it pretty” as my Mother used to tell me.

  29. Jeanna Massman on January 23, 2018 at 6:18 pm

    My special talent is being good at organizing things. As a retired librarian, I have always developed some kind of scheme to efficiently access information.

  30. Arletta on January 23, 2018 at 6:54 pm

    It’s so hard to brag about yourself, isn’t it? Well, at least it is for me! I love to bake and am good at it. I also am good at organizing which is helpful in my office job. Some days I’m great at procrastinating! lol Does that count?

  31. Anne Youakim on January 23, 2018 at 6:54 pm

    My gift is that of listening. I am the one people can use my shoulder to cry on, can use me as a sounding board, can call and complain knowing it goes no farther.

  32. Melanie B on January 23, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    I love making crafts, whether it be beaded jewelry or decor or Christmas ornaments, making anything crafty makes me happy.

  33. Rose Johnson on January 23, 2018 at 7:33 pm

    I love to serve my family, quietly, patiently, and consistently. It brings me joy and a real sense of meaning. I “serve” them in dozens of ways. Besides that, I’m a talented cook, seamstress, teacher, and speaker of French.

  34. bn100 on January 23, 2018 at 8:07 pm

    like to bake

  35. Natalya Lakhno on January 23, 2018 at 8:24 pm

    Children Ministry 🙂

  36. Cecile VanTyne on January 23, 2018 at 8:43 pm

    I’m very organized and I enjoy helping others organize their lives. I was a secretary for 16 years until I had my second child and I learned a lot running an office. Then being a stay-at-home-mom also taught me a lot about being organized and prepared. Now I’m a new grandma and watching my daughter apply so many of the time management tools with her family while she’s finishing grad school makes me proud.

  37. Suellen Christian on January 23, 2018 at 11:20 pm

    My special talent is crocheting items to donate to charities. Currently working with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep making infant afghans and hats for the Angel babies who do not make it to their home with their parents. As well as making chemo caps as a guild chapter challenge.

  38. Yvonne on January 24, 2018 at 5:26 am

    I dont have any special talents but i love to make people laugh and feel good about themselves

  39. MelK on January 24, 2018 at 7:35 am

    I’m funny, intelligent and strong. And I’m a cat whisperer!

  40. Bobbie Warren on January 24, 2018 at 10:19 am

    I like to give to people, I make sure what I gift is perfect for the person receiveing it. I try to always be kind and generous

  41. Tracy on January 24, 2018 at 10:31 am

    I am decent at photography. I have taken classes but I consider myself a hobbyist but I have used my talents to give people family photos they would not have otherwise been able to afford them. I had a friend having her third child, she had never been able to afford maternity photos so I did some for her. It was a fun experience and she was so thankful for those photos. I did wedding photos for my brother, free of charge of course. And one year photos for a friend’s baby. I wouldn’t do it for free for just anyone but for people who could not afford a pro-photographer I would definitely help them out. I’ve also been contacted for use of my photos in a elementary school text book and travel brochures.

  42. Sandy on January 24, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    I don’t feel I have a special talent. I do like to help and I have compassion for others. I am a giving person, I like to help others, volunteering my time and talents to helping others. I volunteer quite a bit at the library – weekly, monthly, special projects and a summer outreach program for reading for kids. I definitely love to give more than to receive.

  43. Linda Hewitt on January 24, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    I don’t think I have any specific special talents, but I do think I’m pretty good at my job. I teach Special Needs students in a Functional Life Skills classroom. They seem to respond well to me and I have been doing it for a long time! I believe I learn just as much from these special angels as they learn from me! I wouldn’t ever do anything else!

  44. Stephanie on January 24, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    I am a phenomenal high school teacher. I’m able to connect with teenagers and be an adult sounding board for things they can’t or won’t share with their parents. I also am able to break down difficult concepts in a way that’s easy for them to understand, so they feel success in my classroom that builds their confidence and self esteem and then transfers to other subjects and areas of their lives.

  45. Jan Tomalis on January 24, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    I think my special talent is a kind and compassionate heart ❤️. It doesn’t matter if they are human or animal I will listen and help in any way that I can.

  46. Becky Pennington on January 24, 2018 at 9:10 pm

    My special talents are… I like to make quilts for babies, jewelry, soaps & candles. I love to craft and learn new ways to recycle old and make something new. I love to read and I read like the wind lol. My biggest talent though is… I am the best Nana in the world according to my grandkids and that is enough talent for me!

  47. Colleen Bergman on January 25, 2018 at 1:39 am

    I love to crochet and knit. I make all kinds of gifts. From hats,scarves, hot pads, blanket s. I also give them to the food pantry to hand out to needy people!

  48. Tina Treece Argo on January 25, 2018 at 7:21 am

    I have beat three cancers and God is how I got thru it. I try to tell people he is the only reason I made it thru. I wish I lived closer to where I did my treatment I would go and sit with cancer patients that don’t have anyone. I found one thing that will remain for me stay positive and pray God held me and walked thru all of it with me.
    I want to write a book about what all I went thru and give people pointers on what to expect also.
    One thing I do also do is paint and I love it. Thanks for this

  49. Sonnetta Jones on January 25, 2018 at 7:40 am

    I think my talent is that people see me as someone that they can talk to. My family and friends always look forward to the stories I share when I return from travel. Complete strangers would share their lives stories with me and some would invite me to their homes. I tell my loved ones there is a reason that people share with me and I cannot deny them their moment or opportunity. I feel like it is God telling me that what they need is more important than my plan to sleep or read.

  50. amy guillaume linderman on January 25, 2018 at 7:49 am

    i am very crafty. i love going thrift shopping and finding something i can re-purpose into something else and make it unique!

  51. Sheri on January 25, 2018 at 11:27 am

    I was a single mother to my son for two years and his father and I married when he was four and that lasted for 3 years. I became a single mother again and that was 15 years ago. I have been my son’s pancreas for 15 years and an advocate for both my children and their needs, with the doctor’s, the community, and the schools.

    I crochet, read, cook, and bake. They help me keep my sanity.

    I also have a habit of caring for strays, animal and human.

    I AM A MAMA BEAR.

  52. Deborah McWhorter on January 25, 2018 at 11:39 am

    My talent has become cooking. For so many years we lived in a home with a tiny kitchen and I was never inspired to cook. After my father in law passed we moved here to Alabama to be closer to my mother in law. My husband and I found a home we had only dreamed of having before. Between my beautiful kitchen and my mother in law (best cook ever) I began a journey to try new recipes and now love to cook. When we lived in Florida there was a bakery that made a carrot cake my husband loved. We couldn’t find a bakery here that had a carrot cake he liked so I played around with a lot of recipes and finally came up with my own. I think it is the most requested cake that I bake. I try all kinds of recipes and tweak them to our liking. Cooking isn’t only my talent, it’s my passion.

  53. Denise on January 25, 2018 at 11:45 am

    I paint, decorate and re-purpose cigar boxes.

  54. Lacey Waters on January 25, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    living well on little

  55. Medenna Walton on January 26, 2018 at 12:50 am

    Singing, and teaching God’s Word. Also good at connecting with people and listening.

  56. Rita on January 26, 2018 at 9:27 am

    I love to compliment people that I see in stores or restaurants. Sometimes it looks like you made their day. I saw a woman in the cafeteria at a hospital where I use to work. She was very tall and had very very short hair. Almost a buzz cut. Her makeup was perfection. She was toasting some bread and looked very self conscious. I just had to get up and tell her how fabulous she looked. She let out a sigh of relief and thanked me profusely. She told me she had just finished chemo and wasn’t sure how people would see her. Her family had probably told her how good she looked but it meant a lot to her for a stranger to tell her. This happened many years ago when you did not see as many people as you do today that are going through chemo. Give someone a compliment today. You will make their day.

  57. Bob Joyner on January 26, 2018 at 11:32 am

    I raised 3 kids in a blended family as I was a single father and my wife had two children from her first marriage. When they were finally grown and out of the house I thought celebrations would begin! But my wife had other ideas. “Let’s adopt” she says! “Let’s not!” I say!! Well, my special talent has to be agreeing with my wife! We adopted a little girl from China in 2000 and two more girls over the next few years, one that is special needs. My life is now full thanks to that “special” talent of agreeing with wife at the right time in our lives!

  58. JB Schroeder on January 27, 2018 at 11:18 am

    I’m not going to enter to win, Christine, as I’m a fellow author, but I just wanted to say that I LOVE that you are celebrating everyday miracles and what makes us all special! : )

    • Christine Nolfi on January 27, 2018 at 11:24 am

      Thank you, JB! So many of the comments have been simply inspiring.

  59. Doreen Alba on January 27, 2018 at 11:46 am

    I have lupus. I am a retired nurse. I have educated many others about lupus and started support groups. Most of all, I’m an amazing mom and Grandma.

  60. Bonnie Oswald on January 27, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    I’m a Young 77 yo who loves to bake & read. My hubby is a Vietnam Veteran (3 tours for a total of 5 years) we’ve had 35 years together & still each other’s best friend. Prior to meeting him I was a single Mom for 3 wonderful children, worked FT & got my AA degree at age 37. Love people & love to see them smile.

  61. Brandy Mesa on January 28, 2018 at 6:50 am

    I love hearing all these empowering statements about everyone FROM THEIR OWN VOICE! Great idea, Christine!
    This is the year I have promised to put myself first and practice self care and self love. I have always put my family first but at a detriment to my own well-being. Now I’m taking care of me so I can best care for them!
    I’ve never had tangible talents. I am, however, a gifted with a very strong intuition and I use it best by making others feel relaxed and comfortable around me. People I have just met often tell me some rather intimate and personal things about themselves. I’m a strong listener and a true nurturer by nature. Whether I am just hearing someone vent, being their sounding board, or offering SOLICITED advice, I love the feeling that I may be allowing someone peace by freeing their mind of complexities and making them feel content in my presence.

  62. Rita Pacchiana on January 28, 2018 at 10:39 am

    I never thought I had a special talent but as I look back I would say I have a way that brings people together with words actions and listening . When the children were at odds with each when younger and even now that they are grown and out of the house I am still able to bring them together . I am a peace maker

  63. Brenda E Knight on January 29, 2018 at 2:36 am

    My greatest talent is my compassion. If someone is in need, I’ll do all I am able to assist them.
    I am quite creative. I make all kinds of crafts & baked goods. Make up my own recipes. Write songs & poetry.
    I am also an avid reader and try to review everything I read.

  64. Robert Nacke on January 29, 2018 at 8:21 am

    Christine my talent is making wood crafts for people to enjoy especially child where I make toys for them to enjoy which is blessing to see their eyes light up when the see what I made and I also take pictures that I sell as art to share what God Bless me with each day

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