By Mary

Well, well, well, look at you, fancy yourself a read about powerful personality traits, huh? You’d best stick around till the end, because I might just tell you something you didn’t even know about yourself. That is, if you haven’t clicked away yet. Feel free to browse somewhere else if you’re not curious about these rare, impactful characteristics that might just describe you to a T. But if you’ve got a minute and a cup of coffee, let’s take a dive into what makes some folks truly stand out. But hey, no promises you’ll like what you find!

Alright, my friends, let’s start by meandering down memory lane. Picture this: Me, a young whippersnapper back in the day, always taught to say my prayers before bed and never ever forget to be polite to my elders. Now, in all my church-going years, I’ve met quite a few characters who possess that certain je ne sais quoi (that’s French for ‘something special’—see, you do learn something new every day!).

Honesty with a Sprinkle of Kindness

First up, let’s chat about honesty wrapped in a warm blanket of kindness. Ah, honesty! That old chestnut. But not the brutal kind that leaves you feeling like you’d rather wrestle a cactus. I’m talking about honesty that warms the heart and leaves you with something to think about. My Uncle Joe had that trait. He could tell you that your meatloaf was drier than the Mojave Desert but he’d do it with a smile and a pat on the back. “Mary, it’s a bit dry, but I can see you put your heart into it,” he’d say. Now that’s an art form, folks. It’s about sharing truth with a tablespoon of love. Karl, the fella from my Bible study group, was a master of this. Always made you feel like God’s love was spoken through his words, even if he was just telling you that you had spinach in your teeth.

Positivity that Defies Gravity

Next, there’s those folks who are unshakable optimists. Remember Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz”? That girl had a tornado lift her house and she still sang about chasing rainbows! Some people are just blessed with a positive outlook that’s contagious. My friend Betty, bless her heart, always sees the silver lining. Lost her job? She’d say, “Well, God’s got a better plan for me!” It’s admirable and buoying. Betty believed that positive thinking wasn’t about ignoring the hard times; it was about keeping faith that God’s got a grander scheme. To be paired with her on the parish bake sale committee was akin to walking with an angel who encouraged you to make the best darn brownies this side of the Mississippi!

Patriotism with a Dash of Humor

Now, let’s not forget patriotism. I’m talking about that deep-seated love for our great nation, mixed with a healthy dose of humor. Oh, the stories I could tell about my Cousin Bob. He could recite the Constitution by heart and still make you laugh until you snorted sweet tea out your nose. He always said there was nothing more American than a good laugh and a firm handshake. He revered our flag, and always said that it represented not just the people who fought for us, but the spirit of resilience and humor that defines us. When times got tough, he’d remind us, “The good Lord made America stand tall, and by George, we’ll stand taller with a chuckle and a prayer!”

Resilience without a Shadow of Doubt

Then there’s resilience, and boy, do I have a story for you. My Grandma Myrtle – now there was a lady who had seen it all. Lived through the Great Depression, lost her home, raised ten kids, and still managed to bake the world’s best apple pie every Sunday. She epitomized resilience. When life gave her lemons, she didn’t just make lemonade; she planted a whole orchard! “God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers,” she used to say, her wrinkled hands folding dough as smoothly as her wisdom wrapped around our hearts.

Humility that Touches the Heavens

Lastly, God-fearing humility. A trait so quiet yet so potent. It’s like seeing a beautiful, understated piece of art that takes your breath away. Often it’s found in the most unassuming people. Take my old Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Clara. Never sought the limelight, always gave credit to others. She’d teach us kids about the Bible with such grace and never once raised her voice. Said the Lord’s work wasn’t meant for showboating, but for quiet, steadfast service. One year, she won the ‘Citizen of the Year’ award, and she tearfully said it belonged to everyone in the community. If you ask me, that’s the kind of humility that makes angels sing.

If you’re still here, bless your patient soul. Maybe you see some of yourself in these stories? If you’ve got honesty touched by kindness, unwavering positivity, humor-laced patriotism, unyielding resilience, or humility that makes even the heavens take notice, then dear friend, you’re part of the rare breed. Don’t be shy. These traits, while rare, can profoundly impact everyone lucky enough to cross your path. So wear them proudly and keep shining your light in this sometimes dark world. And now, just as I promised, I’m done yakking. Have yourself a blessed day!