It seems we resonate with what “not to do” and find it more difficult to live up to what “to do”. Something about walking the the talk and responsibility comes up.

Anyway, playing to our natural talents and strengths makes it easier to be in the world and for the world.

Like you, I’ve found that so often people focus on ‘fixing’ what is wrong, on mending weaknesses, rather than honouring what is right and building from strengths.

The same is true in individuals and organisations – schools, businesses, community agencies.

One of the effects of this focus on deficit is that it drains the spirit. Listen to any group talk about what’s wrong and you find conversation becomes gloomier, energy drains from the room and people start to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and the impossibility of fixing it all!

But begin from strengths – from the ‘positive core’ as it’s described in Appreciative Inquiry, for example – and the experience is very different. We feel re-energized and re-ignited with the passion we need to move forward.

It’s sometimes not easy to see what’s right and focus on strengths when we’re under pressure or when we’re feeling somewhat battered by life or the events around us. There’s a danger we’ll stumble and fall into the pits of negativity, sadness or even despair.

But if at those times we can find the support and caring we need from others to help us steady ourselves again, to see again what’s is at the same time ‘right’ in ourselves or the world – then new possibilities for being, for growth and for action open up forus.