Using Your Gifts

My Daughter Lily and I do artwork together on Sundays.? She likes making cinnamon rolls and listening to Taylor Swift while we draw.? She picks a Disney character for me to draw for her.? ??

I see how Lily has an interest and a natural talent for art.? I also see how we have a similar brand of ADHD because we can get completely lost in it.? I drew a lot as a kid, and it just sort of made sense.? I could see the spatial relationships between things, and lights and darks and put it on paper.? Lily thinks it's cool that I can do this and that I'm able to give her pointers. I stopped drawing after it felt like my degree in animation was proving to be as useful as a degree in making six-fingered gloves.

At bed time, she told me that we should do more artwork mornings.? Then she reminded me how Miss Cheryl, her art teacher told me, "If god gave you this gift, you need to use it." She said this after Lily made me show her the portrait I had drawn of her (below).

A few weeks ago, I went to the Comedy Store in La Jolla to see Steve Simeone.? He is one of my favorites.? We connected ten years ago after my wife and I were there for the recording of his first special, "Remember This."? His material focuses on growing up in the 80's in the Philly suburbs with brothers.? He talks about being part of an Italian family that loved food.? Notable bits are about Pizza night, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and how when you're a kid, going out for Chinese food at "China Palace" is a magical experience.

His shows, with references to the Philly accent, Van Halen songs and professional wrestling, are like a time machine for me.? I also grew up in the Philly Suburbs. I was part of a Jewish family that loved food.? (I argue that Jews and Italians are almost the exact same family, there's just a minor disagreement about Jesus.) I had a younger brother, learned Van Halen songs on my guitar, and had a Step Dad that REALLY cared about Professional wrestling. Needless to say, his material strikes a chord with me. The core of Steve's message is that joy is found in our personal relationships and experiences and that we need to judge each other less and love each other more. ?

We hung out after his show.? We talked about the Philly accent.? I have mostly lost it, but I can bring it back at will.? I told Steve about how I used to read my children bedtime stories in exaggerated Philly accent.? Then I gave him the first few pages of "Goodnight Moon" in my best chain-smoking Philadelphian.? It made him laugh.? He pointed at the stage and said, "So have you done stand up?"? I told him I had once ten years ago and that it was the best."? He asked why I didn't keep doing it.? I told him I had to be really focused on my career.

We talked for a while about family stories and stand up.? I really only know him through his comedy, but it was like hanging out with someone I'd grown up with.? Before he left, he said, "Look.? Get on stage.? Go to open mics.? Don't overthink it.? I'll be back in a year, and if you've been doing open mics, I'll give you a guest spot when I come back.? Then he said, "If god gave you this gift... to make people laugh, you need to use it."

I know there isn't an abundance of free time, especially among the busy Attorneys and Patent Agents I recruit.? But I can tell you personally that writing for Stand-Up Comedy, and drawing with my daughter have brought a new joy into my life.? I believe I'm bringing a happier version of myself around my family, as well as my work as a legal recruiter.? I encourage you to make time for the gifts that have nothing to do with your career.? Because if God gave you that gift, you need to use it.?