Gifts + Gaps = Me!

Embracing Who We Are (and Are Not)

Embracing our gifts can be HARD. Often times we have been picked on about them, ridiculed, or told not to be so “full of ourselves.” Yet our gifts are core to who we are! Some we were born into. Others we’ve had to work to cultivate.

Our Gaps — the things we’re not good at — are often much louder. Gaps tend to activate self-criticism, even self-hate! Yet, everyone has gaps!

Growing doesn’t always mean “overcoming our gaps.” It can mean simply embracing our gifts and looking for ease and flow… adaptations that work amazingly well for us… and opportunities for co-creation with people whose gifts mesh with our gaps.

Would you like to give your gifts and your gaps a hearty embrace for the decade to come? Join us for this working session where we’ll accept and respect our gifts and our gaps together. It’s free and we’ll do lots of tapping and shifting energy.

Gifts + Gaps = Me!

"Our gifts and our gaps, woven together, make up our authentic self—no matter how hard that can be to face, to be with, and to welcome."

A Sacred Container for Discovery

"Laughter and tears are welcome. Our shared intention is to hold a sacred container where you can tune in to what's true for you." 

We invite you to settle in with us, feel gravity do a little more of the work, and let your bones rise while your tissues drape. As you breathe, notice your body and whisper out loud, my gifts.

Here—right here—we celebrate that every single human being carries both gifts and gaps. Together we’ll practice leaning toward the gifts we often down‑play and honouring the gaps that still feel raw or awkward.

The Comparison Trap

"Our survival brain watches a single movie hero and decides: I need to be that good at everything to be competent."

We grew up on flawless edits and five‑person body doubles stitched into one “perfect” image. No wonder the primitive brain feels diminished.
Yet real life is a village scene: different moments call forth different heroes. One friend lifts the heavy log, another improvises dinner from scraps. We take turns shining.

Celebrating What’s Alive

"Let’s take a moment and realize that right now people with these gifts—and many more—have come together."

Pause. Feel the warmth in your chest as you read the circle’s offerings—painting, listening, empathy, improv, parenting, sensing light in others… Notice how your own body responds when you witness someone else name a gift.

EFT Tapping Round — Permission to Shine

Theme – Stepping Out of Hiding

Side of Hand: Even though they told me I couldn’t shine—and said I’d just be bragging if I acknowledged my gifts—I choose to give myself the freedom to celebrate mine and everyone else’s gifts.

Top of Head: Ever since I was little.
Eyebrow: They told me I couldn’t brag.
Side of Eye: That I’d make others feel bad.
Under the Eye: That I would seem arrogant.
Under the Nose: Or too full of myself.
Chin: So if I acknowledge my gifts…
Collarbone: Maybe it’s okay to acknowledge my gifts.
Under the Arm: Maybe it’s okay to really acknowledge my gifts.

Top of Head: And role‑model and encourage others to celebrate too.

The Sting of Squashing

"It felt so violating to be squashed. Why did they squash me?"

Many of us learned early that enthusiasm, tears, or queerness had to be pressed flat to keep us “safe.”
Today we breathe space back into the places that were told to stay small.

EFT Tapping Round — Unwinding the Squash

Theme – Reclaiming Breath & Space

Side of Hand: Even though I was squashed into that tiny bullseye and still feel the effects, I’m unwinding the squeeze on my creativity, confidence, heart, and dreams.

Top of Head: Aspects of me were squashed.
Eyebrow: It felt so violating to be squashed.
Side of Eye: Why did they squash me?
Under the Eye: Right here, right now, I am embracing some of those gifts.
Under the Nose: I’m starting to allow myself to breathe.
Chin: I’m continuing to unwind it now.
Collarbone: I send forgiveness and love back in time.
Under the Arm: I’m much safer than I was back then.

Top of Head: I can celebrate all of who I am—no squashing needed.

Embracing the Gap

"Our light shines through our cracks."

Gaps are not accusations. They’re rests in the music. Rick’s brain refuses to memorize song lyrics; Cathy can cross a continent yet still get lost two blocks from the hotel. We could shame ourselves—or we can name the gap, ask for help, and let GPS or improv carry us.

EFT Tapping Round — Releasing Shame Around the Gap

Theme – From Deficiency to Reality

Side of Hand: Even though I feel so much shame around this gap, and my primitive brain thinks I’ll die because of it, I’m open to exploring and releasing a whole bunch of this shame.

Top of Head: I feel that shame right here in my body.
Eyebrow: It is really heavy.
Side of Eye: I think feeling ashamed means I’m a bad person.
Under the Eye: And I lack something fundamental.
Under the Nose: Maybe what I lack is the skill to deal with shame.
Chin: I’m open to exploring this more.
Collarbone: I’m releasing a whole bunch of this shame.
Under the Arm: I don’t want anyone else’s shame dripped on me.

Top of Head: I’m learning to stand in my gifts and gaps without shame.

The Dance of Gifts + Gaps

"Courage is the price of connection."

When we admit a gap, we create velcro points where others can attach their gifts. Rick’s responder nature hums once a friend primes the pump; Cathy’s honest sharing about body‑shame lets others drop their guard. Together we co‑create what none of us could craft alone.

EFT Tapping Round — I’m So Smart / I’m So Stupid

Theme – Integrating Both Truths

Side of Hand: Even though I’m so smart and I’m so stupid—and I’m really hard on myself about that—I’m in the process of embracing my full mix of gifts and gaps.

Top of Head: I’m so smart.
Eyebrow: I’m so bad at that.
Side of Eye: I’m really hard on myself about that.
Under the Eye: I’m actually better at that than I give myself credit.
Under the Nose: Even though I could be better in my imagination.
Chin: I’m in the process of embracing my gifts and gaps.
Collarbone: I have gifts.
Under the Arm: I have gaps.

Top of Head: And that’s okay.

Closing — Full of Ourselves, Together

We leave you with a circle of virtual arms around your shoulders. May you feel heavier in the best way—rooted, real, and richly full of yourself. Let’s keep naming the gift, honoring the gap, and co‑creating the music only we can play.

"We have this beautiful circle of people aware of their gifts—and that awareness itself is a shared gift."

With love and deep appreciation,
Rick & Cathy