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You usually find it on the comics page. Most people who read it make jokes about it; some, under their breath, comment on how spooky it is…

This is not astrology. Consider:

If someone wrote a column that broke all of us down into 12 “types” then proceeded to tell us what diseases we had, would you call that Medicine?

I’ve been an astrologer for over 36 years and I have a couple of things to say about what it’s worth.

First, it is worth studying for the Meaning it can add to our lives. Care must be taken here, though. Any astrologer that says it can predict your future is Dead Wrong.

Second, it’s good for broadening our understanding of just how many factors go to make up a complete person. We All Have All Twelve Signs In Our Natures! No one is lacking any of them. In a complete chart they are all there. True, most people have 4 or 5 emphasized but we all have all twelve.

A good place to get your whole chart for free (plus a free interpretation) is:

http://mychart.astrologyweekly.com/

Third, astrology is supreme at helping us track Cycles in our lives. It’s very good at answering questions like: Have these circumstances happened before? How can I face them this time with more of my true self? What in my past has a bearing on what’s happening now? How can I take what I have now and use it in the best way in the future?

So, more meaning, a broader understanding, and cyclic awareness. Not bad for something that can’t even predict the future, eh?

You can read much more about it in my new book:

http://www.lulu.com/amzolt

Alexander M Zoltai is a writer/astrologer who wishes he were a geek…

Michael Vick can do wonders on a football field, but don’t think of him as an anomaly. He is just like you and me. Average.

How can that be? In the 2004 regular season, Vick led the Atlanta Falcons to an 11 and 5 record while passing for 2,313 yards. Perhaps most amazing of all, he ran for 902 yards with an average 7.5 yards per carry while the NFL’s leading running back, Curtis Martin, averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Nothing average about that! Truly, Michael Vick is an extraordinarily talented, gifted, and capable athlete that shines brilliantly on the football field. You and I certainly can’t compete with that.

Fortunately, we don’t have to. That’s the beauty of being average. On a scale of zero to ten, 5 is average. We’re all given a different mix of strengths and abilities. While we might be a 0 in one area (like me on a football field), we’re likely 10 in another area (like Michael Vick is on the football field). Or maybe we have two strong talents, one at an 8 and another at a 7. Zero, 8, and 7 averages out to … 5. Average.

When we see Michael Vick on the football field, we really don’t care what he can’t do. I’m not going to imagine for a moment what his zeroes are, because it really doesn’t matter. Michael has (1) discovered his key talents and (2) is applying them daily.

We, on the other hand, continually worry about “fixing” ourselves where we are below average. “I can’t diagram a sentence.” “I speak with an accent.” “I can never remember where I put my glasses.” So what? We’ll never enjoy all we can from life if we spend our time working on the weaknesses. We need to find ways to tap into our strengths, to (1) identify our 8’s, 9’s, and 10’s, and then (2) put them to work for us every day.

The Gallup pollsters have done research over decades that show top performers are not those that repair their weaknesses. Instead, top performers discover their strengths and then sharpen and polish them to make them even better. In the resulting 2001 book, Now, Discover Your Strengths, the authors Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton list 34 strengths that everyone enjoys in some combination.

Michael Vick has found at least one of his strengths, and it’s a thrill for the rest of us to see him apply it. Whether he’s unloading a bullet of a pass, executing a draw play, or dancing his way past an army of defenders, we’re excited to watch. But what about us? We’re meant to be more than just spectators in the game of life.

You are really great at something; have you found it yet? Alan Opdyke of Snellville, Georgia wins awards for breeding guppies. Bill Porter of Portland, Oregon became a top salesman despite his cerebral palsy. Michael Vick is lucky because he found — with the help of coaches and friends — something he is good at while relatively young. Yet late bloomers are all around us. Charles Hurme won the USTA National Senior Hard Court Tennis Championship when he was 90. Just because you haven’t found your 10 yet doesn’t mean you don’t have it in you.

If you’re still thinking I must be writing about someone besides you, that you have no talents and abilities above a 5, you’re wrong. You’re not inadequate, you’re just chicken.

Maybe you’re reluctant to try new things. Maybe you’re afraid to get hurt, physically or emotionally. Maybe you’re terrified to discover another thing you’re not good at. What if Edison had chickened out after his 999th try at discovering how to make a light bulb?

Accept the fact that you’re average and do something positive with it. Stop wasting time working on abilities at which you’ll never be exceptional. Shift your efforts to trying things that interest you. Act on your curiosity and desire. Pay attention when people pay you a “Wow” compliment. Take a chance on yourself. Challenge yourself to find the excellence within you. Don’t ever let anyone imply that you are “just” average. Find your strengths, and then have the courage to apply, hone, and polish them. Stand Out. Excel.

It’s unlikely that we’ll ever join Michael Vick in the huddle, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a ball every day. We may all be average, but in some way we’re also extraordinary as well. Find and apply your “extra.”

© 2005 Paul Johnson. All rights reserved.

Note: This article is available for reprint at no charge. We only ask that you include our copyright notice in your reprint, along with the About the Author (byline) information we provide at the end of the article.

Paul Johnson of Panache and Systems LLC consults and speaks on business strategy for systematically boosting sales performance using Shortcuts to Yes. Check out more salesforce development tips at http://panache-yes.com/tips.html

Call Paul direct in Atlanta, Georgia, USA at (770) 271-7719.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered

when wished on the morning star?

Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it;

look what it’s done so far.

What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing

and what do we think we might see?

Someday we’ll find it, the Rainbow Connection;

The lovers, the dreamers, and me

~ The Rainbow Connection (sung by Kermit in the Muppets movie)

Yesterday I had a wonderful “moment” with my daughter. She has just advanced to the next level in her voice lessons. (This is the only lesson/club she is currently involved in, so it is the subject of much conversation.) She was complaining about the “old songs” she has to sing. She had hoped this next level would bring some “pop” music.

As a mom would do, I asked her, “How bad can it be?” She proceeded to get her music book. After beautifully belting out “On Top of Spaghetti,” “Hello Muddh, Hello Fadduh!,” “Castle on a Cloud,” and “Second Hand Rose,” she launched into “The Rainbow Connection.” I immediately started to clap and stomp my feet, looking more like 10 years of age than she does.

“Yes, mother?” She seemed surprised by my excitement.

“I love this song!” I said, quickly joining in. As we sung the chorus above, memories began drifting into today. Memories I might not have recalled if it wasn’t for this “old music” in my daughter’s voice lessons.

We hit the last part of the song, and it affected me just as it had twenty years ago, when I watched the Muppet movie for the hundredth time.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?

I’ve heard them calling my name.

I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it

It’s something that I’m s’posed to do

I can’t recall what I thought a frog was trying to tell me at age 10, but I remember the words resonating. As we finished the song, Sammy said, “I love that ending, don’t you?” I smiled as we launched into another one of my favorites, “Puff the Magic Dragon…”

Re-reading those lyrics as an adult, I think I must have heard something similar to what to I hear today … a call to be something moreto challenge lifeto live outloud.

I learned the true value of “time” at a very young age. All of my grandparents had passed on before my birth or while I was a baby. My father would leave when I was eight-months-old. While I would see him “here and there” throughout the years, we would never develop a relationship before his death this past spring. I lost my one and only sibling 8 years ago. Perhaps nothing teaches us the bittersweet value of a momentexcept lost moments.

As each loss occurs, I embrace the now even moretruly acknowledging every second for the gift that it is. I strive to live in truth, honor, centeredness, passion, integrity, and love. And What’s so amazing that keeps me stargazing… what do I think I might see?

I don’t know. But someday I’ll find it… the lovers, the dreamers and me.

Your turn:

Every night this week, walk outside and wish upon a star. If the stars aren’t visible, wish on the moon. If you can’t see the moon, just throw a wish into the airremembering what goes up must come down.

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