Gift + Gap = Me! – Rich now

“Our gifts and our gaps, woven together, make up our authentic selves—to be faced, accompanied, and welcomed, no matter how difficult.”

A sacred container for discovery

“Smiles and tears are welcome. Our shared purpose is to hold a sacred vessel where you can tune into what is true for you.”

We invite you to settle in with us, work a little harder to feel the gravity and let your bones rise while your tissues are covered. As you breathe in, notice your body and whisper out loud, my gift.

Here—here—we celebrate that every human being carries both gifts And Gap Together we’ll practice leaning into the gifts we often underplay And Honoring the gaps that still feel raw or awkward.

The comparison trap

“Our survival brain looks at a single movie hero and decides: I have to be good at everything to excel.“

We grew up on flawless editing and five-person body doubles stitched into a “perfect” picture. No wonder the primitive brain feels diminished.
Yet in real life a village scene: Different moments call for different heroes. One friend is lifting heavy logs, another is preparing dinner from scraps. We take turns to shine.

Celebrating What’s Alive

“Let’s take a moment and realize that people with these gifts – and many others – are united right now.”

pause Feel the warmth in your chest as you read the circle’s offerings — painting, listening, empathizing, improving, parenting, sensing the light in others… Notice how your own body responds when you name the gift to someone else.

EFT Tapping Round — Permission to Shine

Theme – Coming out of hiding

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

above the head: Since childhood.
eyebrows: They told me I can’t brag.
next to the eyes: That I want others to think badly.
under the eyes: That would seem presumptuous of me.
under the nose: Or too full of himself.
china: So if I accept my gift…
Collarbone: Maybe it’s okay to accept my gift.
under the arm: Maybe it’s really okay to acknowledge my gift.

above the head: And role-model and encourage others to celebrate too.

The sting of squashing

“It felt so violated to be squashed. Why did they squash me?”

Many of us learned early on that to keep us “safe” we need to push enthusiasm, tears, or anxiety flat.
Today we breathe in places that were told to be small.

EFT Tapping Round — Squash Unwinding

Theme – Restoring breath and space

hand direction: Even though I fell for that little bullseye and am still feeling the effects, I’m easing the pressure on my creativity, confidence, heart and dreams.

above the head: My side was squashed.
eyebrows: It felt very violated to be squashed.
next to the eyes: Why did they squash me?
under the eyes: Right now, right now, I’m embracing some of those gifts.
under the nose: I am starting to breathe myself.
china: I am continuing it now.
Collarbone: I send forgiveness and love back in time.
under the arm: I was much safer then than before.

above the head: I can celebrate all of who I am—no squashing required.

Hug the gap

“Our light shines through our cracks.”

The gap is not a complaint. They are relaxing in music. Rick’s brain refuses to memorize the lyrics; Cathy could cross a continent yet get lost two blocks from the hotel. We can shame ourselves—or we can name the gap, ask for help, and let GPS or Improv carry us.

EFT Tapping Round – Releasing shame around gaps

Theme – From scarcity to reality

hand direction: Even though I feel a lot of shame around this gap, and my primitive brain thinks I’m going to die because of it, I’m open to exploring and releasing a whole bunch of this shame.

above the head: I feel this shame in my body.
eyebrows: It’s really heavy.
next to the eyes: I think being ashamed means I’m a bad person.
under the eyes: And I lack something basic.
under the nose: Maybe I lack the ability to deal with shyness.
china: I’m open to exploring it more.
Collarbone: I’m letting go of this whole bunch of shame.
under the arm: I don’t want someone else’s shame to fall on me.

above the head: I’m learning to stand up to my gifts and gaps without shame.

Gift Dance + Gap

“Courage is the price of connection.”

When we recognize a gap, we create Velcro points where others can attach their gifts. Rick’s answering nature buzz once friend pump prime; Kathy’s honest sharing of body-shaming causes others to let their guard down. Together we co-create what none of us could do alone.

EFT Tapping Round – I’m so smart / I’m so stupid

Theme – Integrating both truths

hand direction: Although I am very smart And I’m so stupid—and I’m really hard on myself about it—I’m in the process of embracing the full mix of my gifts and gaps.

above the head: I am very smart.
eyebrows: I hate it so much.
next to the eyes: I’m really tough about it.
under the eyes: I’m actually better than I give myself credit for.
under the nose: Although I could be better in my imagination.
china: I am in the process of embracing my gifts and gaps.
Collarbone: I have a present.
under the arm: I have gaps.

above the head: And ok.

Completion — full of themselves, together

We leave you with a circle of virtual arms around your shoulders. You can feel heavy in the best possible way—original, real, and rich full of self Let’s name the gift, honor the gap, and co-create the music that 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 and Kathy