While browsing through a bookstore a few years ago, I came across a book that caught my eye titled “Refuse to Choose!” The subtitle was “Use all of your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams.”
Throughout my entire life I have found myself drawn to so many things. I love doing life with my family. I love meeting new people and traveling to new places. I love learning, writing, speaking, leading, playing the piano and helping people learn how to live an inspired life. I was constantly trying to figure out which ‘ONE’ I should choose. If only I knew what it was. Maybe this was the answer I’d been looking for. So I bought the book.
Famous for her extraordinary ability to help people define and achieve their goals, Barbara Sher discovered that some individuals simply cannot, and should not, decide on a single path; they are genetically wired to pursue many areas. Sher calls them “Scanners”–people whose unique type of mind does not zero in on a single interest but rather scans the horizon, eager to explore everything they see. Sher writes, “To scanners, the world is like a big candy store full of of fascinating opportunities and all they want is to reach out and stuff their pockets.”
I couldn’t put the book down! I was reading about ME in the pages. A scanner is intensely curious about numerous unrelated subjects. Scanners don’t want just a few interests. They love variety. Because their brains process quickly, they are always ready for new subjects. In fact, they are energized by many things going on at the same time and rarely feel overwhelmed. They are hard workers who get satisfaction from helping others. They refuse to choose!
I felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Maybe I don’t have to choose. Maybe I can use all of my interests and passions to create a life and career that I love.
She went on in her book to give tips on how to do what you love and which tools you need to do your best work. She teaches you how you can be a scanner (with many commitments) and enjoy each one to full capacity.
After reading the book, I came to the conclusion that I am a Scanner. I realized that is how God designed me and while at times balancing it all can be a little crazy, I wouldn’t want to live any other way!
How about you? What gifts do you have to share with the world? How are you living out your God-given gifts?
