KerryOn: Special Traits

Growing up, I would often hear from relatives or family friends how much I resembled my parents. Depending on which side of the family I met, I would hear how much my smile was like my mom, or my eyes like my dad. Many of us experience this phenomenon – the color of hair or skin, or the presence of dimples perhaps, is sure to be the gift of a specific ancestor. But regardless of facial features or familiar characteristics which might be passed from one generation to the next, the special traits that reveal the heart of a person remain almost entirely hidden. Often a person’s most special traits are known only to the recipient of those gifts.

My grandma had a special trait that was passed along to me. I can assure you, it had nothing to do with her physical appearance whatsoever. My grandma was a small Finnish woman with jet black hair. She stood barely five feet tall on tiptoes. I couldn’t fit into her shoes past the age of 10 (believe me, I tried). While our physical features differed quite substantially, I did receive her special trait of finding four-leaf clovers. More often than I can remember, while walking in the woods, among a forest floor covered in various plants and flowers, my grandmother (even after looking at the sky for the entire walk) would suddenly stop, bend down, and pick up a four-leaf clover. As a young girl standing next to her, I was transfixed by this magical superpower!

It wasn’t until my teens that I noticed I also possessed this special trait. First, one four-leaf clover in a field while playing outside in the sunshine, then another while sitting in the grass at a picnic. Over time, the clovers began to appear like shooting stars; when I just relaxed, they generously revealed themselves. I’d press them in my journals to preserve them. I have saved hundreds of them, not including those given away to whomever walked beside me, just like my grandma did for me. This gift always felt like a secret present to share. I can’t tell you how it happens, or how the four-leaf clover (or sometimes more-leaf) shows up in my peripheral. I only know that each time I pick one I celebrate by saying “thank you grandma” because I am grateful for the reminder of her.

We may not all have physical traits that match anyone in our lives. But the special traits we have may be passed along to us, like the one I was given. Perhaps it’s the ability to cook like someone who made us nourishing meals, share mesmerizing stories with great details, grow luscious gardens filled with flowers or vegetables, play musical instruments with ease, or fix anything and everything that needs to be renewed. These gifts are no less important than physical traits. In fact, I would say they are even more special because they move beyond the superficial and share the heart of us.

Special Note:  A few hundred four-five-six-seven leaf clovers that I have picked over the years while on walks. Each one of them is a unique clover with different physical traits, much like each one of us. "Thank You Grandma" for passing along this special trait that brings me much joy!

KerryOn Questions

- What are the special traits at the heart of you?

- Have your special traits been passed down from people in your life?

- What can you do to celebrate your special traits?

The Kerry behind KerryOn

My name is Kerry K. Fierke, Ed.D. (pron. Fear-Key) I have a unique combination of skills and experience – decades of fast-paced corporate experience in Fortune 100 companies and large health care organizations, combined with the academic rigor of a highly ranked research university. My focus is supporting others to create their own path to leadership development, lifelong learning, and a unique leadership legacy. Take a moment to focus on leadership, then KerryOn!

To see all KerryOn's and other leadership stuff, visit www.kerrykfierke.com.