All of us have innate gifts. It’s what we choose to do with them that matters. Some of our gifts are overt, such as my gift of art, my daughter’s gift of fashion design, and my son’s gift of music. Others are less obvious, such as a gift of connection with people, a lovely way to make people feel at ease, talent in managing finances, or in keeping things organized.
Many are under the false impression that having an obvious talent makes someone lucky. I know many tortured artists. They don’t feel lucky. Some produce their art on a regular basis and have been successful at making a career of their gifts, while others stifle the urge to create for a living and pursue more practical work. Their souls might be dying inside, but they are fearful of what might happen if they were fully immersed in what matters most, their art. It is risky business, focusing your life on something that touches your soul so deeply.
A few days ago, I received an email from an old musician friend, Barry Louis Polisar, famous for his children’s music in the eighties, like “He Eats Asparagus, Why Can’t You Be That Way” and “One Day My Best Friend Barbara Turned Into a Frog”. Most recently, he achieved fame for a title song for the hugely popular movie, “Juno”. What I love about Barry is his irreverence, humor, and rebellious spirit. And what makes Barry a success is his tenacity and hard work. He has taken his Gd given gifts and shared them with the world, no holds barred. In that way, he is my artistic hero. Check out his website and sample his crazy music for a real treat.
If you have identified your gift, you owe it to the world to share it and not keep it to yourself. If you don’t yet know what you have to offer, work with a life coach to help uncover your hidden treasures. The world will be grateful that you did.
What are you talents are you keeping to yourself? What’s getting in the way of sharing your gifts?
