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BE PART OF THE LEGACY

TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

What Are Your Charism’s?

Tales Of Nightingale Lynn[su_dropcap style=”flat”]F[/su_dropcap]IRST, WHAT IS Charism: A Charism according to Theology is a divinely conferred gift of power, personal influence on other people individually or as a group, a good gift that flows from God’s love to humans..

Not long ago, I attended an Adult Forum and the speaker, very educated, with ton’s of degree’s, but really an expert in defining one’s Charism was about to speak. I decided to check it out. One of the first things we were given when we walked into the room was a sheet that had a list of the things that (those) who were going to be in the audience, were good at, or that which they had an interest in.

As the talk got underway and the speaker began to point out how often times (WE) think we are doing what we have always loved to do! But soon we found out that our Charism landed us in another arena. For example, I checked off the questions thinking that what would be at the top of my list is serving the public, helping others, being a servant, such as in the field of nursing, public servant, etc.. To my amazement, I discovered that what I was really good at was teaching, writing, the arts!. Then I also discovered that deep down inside, these were also the things that I enjoyed doing the most. Each of us have Charisms and we hopefully know what they are, that they are what we are doing and not what we have to do.

I started painting when i retired from Law Enforcement, always wanting to do Religious art in some way, but I did not want to limit myself. I also wanted to write and share with as many people who were interested my life’s experiences, thinking that maybe something I wrote would help someone, somewhere.

I attache one of my 1 of 8 paintings since this is the season of Lent in the Liturgical year of the Catholic Church. However, this painting does not limit itself to Catholic Faith.

087 copyOriginal Artist unknown,This Rendition in Oil by Lynn Forrester
©2013 not to be reproduced in any way.

When you look into the eyes of Christ, know that He suffers for all living souls who are going through so much in life. He cares.

So getting back to Charisms, follow what is on your heart. Try things that you would not have thought have of, who knows how good you will be! but better yet, as in my case, I may not be the best, but it gives me joy and peace when I have a brush or pen in my hand..

A quote from Henri J. Nouwen; that I think is beautiful..

To identify the movements of the Spirit in our lives, I have found it helpful To use four words: “taken” “blessed” “broken” and “given”

Take what is given to you, that is blessed as God’s gift of talent, regardless how broken, it is given to you freely. Do something with it.[su_spacer]

until next time…

Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
LYNN is Retired from Law Enforcement as a Police Officer, with a background in nursing and previously a member of the Search and Rescue Team with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, A retired member of the Orange Police Department, she became the first female SWAT member on an elite team while becoming a member of the Olympic Shooting Team during the early years on the department. A mother and a grandmother, a devout Catholic who currently resides in Houston, Texas. Her hobbies include writing, painting, and a contemplative prayer life. She is in love with her faith, but the love she carries for her two grown children and grandchildren who rest in her heart surpasses everything except her faith in God. Since retirement, Lynn has done private investigation, worked as a gang counselor with middle schools, A member of Bl. Mother Teresa’s Order called the (Lay Missionaries of Charity), she is also a pro-life advocate, often called upon to give testimony and speak to youth groups, as well as adult forums. She has published a children’s book entitled “The Children’s Garden” and is currently working on two additional children’s books. She is currently working on the major one focused on her experience in Law Enforcement entitled “Heels and a Badge”. (copyright). Her paintings and sketches, writings, can be viewed on her Pinterest boards (click on the Pinterest ICON below). Her dream is to one-day write a movie for Hallmark. Dreams do come true … See Lynn’s entire collection of thought-provoking Articles by clicking on her byline. Lynn is a contributing author to the inspiring book Chaos to Clarity: Sacred Stories of Transformational Change.

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CONVERSATIONS

  1. Lynn, this is just what I’ve been grappling with myself. It’s like you were eavesdropping inside my head all day yesterday. I would love to attend an event that you described. I think it would tie up my chaotic thoughts and make sense of them. I love your painting. My sister, who was a nurse, found her passion in painting too. She didn’t think she and a dropper full of artistic talent until she took a painting class. That was 25 years ago. Her specialty is lighthouses. She visits, takes photographs, then paints. I love her work. She also is an exquisite seamstress.

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