The Gifts

As Human beings we have this one good quality and that is of appreciating a higher or greater talent when we see or hear one. It could be musicians, actors, sportsmen, politicians, business leaders etc., and who we adore depends largely on our own vocation, artistic and sporting tastes and interests. In this adoration business we have our favorites too – it could be Leonardo Di Caprio for some, Lionel Messi for some, Usain bolt for some, Jeff Bezos for some others. We are in absolute awe of these individuals. We would wait for the next movie, the next game, the next album or the next billion they make. They are in many ways an integral part of our lives.

But the irony of our lives is that we believe greatness is not a virtue we can possess, rather it is a boon of a chosen few. In this belief, we rarely work on our talents which probably are hidden somewhere under our busy and burdened lives, rarely getting their due. Interestingly, when you ask people about their hobbies, the answer very often we hear is “I love listening to music and watching movies”. Wonderful! Isn’t it? No special talent, skill or effort required. Gape and the TV screen (or whichever screen) or just close your eyes and play your favorite music. Isn’t this a very common story?

We rarely do anything about our own talents. We let them rust and fade away into oblivion as our lives are not designed to accommodate such interests. I have also been this “listening to music and watching movies” kind but I decided to do something about this. I did eventually act in a short film and in the recent few months recorded more than 30 songs of mine on a singing app. Today when I drive to office I listen to my own songs. Well, how do I sound? I sound just about fine but more that it gives me this feeling of accomplishment. I have created my own private self-admiration space.

Your talents are not to be wasted. Brush them up and perform. If you really put your talents to good use, you might just surprise yourself. You might fall in love with yourself all over again. Worth a try!