Sunday, December 28, 2008

Talents

Teagan got the movie "Tinkerbell" as a gift for Christmas. We've watched it twice so far and I have to admit... that I love it! Here's the synopsis from IMDB.com Enter the magical world of fairies and meet the enchanting creatures of Pixie Hollow, who "nurture nature" and bring about the change of the seasons. Changing the colors of the leaves, moving a sunbeam to melt snow, waking animals from their winter slumber, or giving a patch of sproutlings a sprinkle of water are all within the realm of these seasonal specialists. Tinker Bell thinks her fairy talent as a "tinker" isn't as special or important as the other fairies' talents. But when Tink tries to change who she is, she creates nothing but disaster! With encouragement from her friends Rosetta, Silvermist, Fawn and Iridessa, Tink learns the key to solving her problems lies in her unique tinker abilities and discovers that when shes true to herself, magical things can happen. There is a big focus on talents. Each fairy has a specific talent, something very special that they can do. Some fairies can speak to animals, some can manipulate water, etc. Tinker Bell is a tinker fairy with a gift for fixing things. And it's all got me thinking about talent. About passion. About recognizing what we bring to the table. It's a simple enough question. What are your talents? But it's a question that so many have difficulty answering. Because to answer it honestly may indicate pridefulness. But I, of course, disagree. I believe we were given our gifts and talents with a purpose. To use them. To share them. I'm not saying we should be running around bragging. But I think there is no shame in recognizing what you are good at. What you take pride in. But what if you don't know what your talents are? This kind of baffles me. I've known at least some of my talents for most of my life so I can't imagine not knowing. What if you are going day to day, not knowing what you really excel at? What gifts you bring to those around you? Is it that you truly don't know? Or is it that you refuse to see something so positive about yourself? What is holding you back from recognizing something you do well? My talents? In no particular order... Singing, listening, advising, writing. What are your talents? You have full permission to brag on yourself.

8 comments:

Joanie said...

I used to be a hairdresser, once upon a time, and I had a talent with my scissors. I did really nice haircuts! And I was a whiz at fancy updos! Not the kind the kids wanted..... older ladies loved me! I could create really nice French curls and French twists! (remember the kind that made you cry coming out of the salon 2 hours before your prom because you looked 40 instead of 21?) That's what I could do and I got every one that came into the salon!

I also had a talent for some needlework. I didn't like cross-stitch and crochet was difficult for anyone to teach me because I'm a lefty. But I did some nice crewel pictures! I had a bunch on my walls for years but I think they are either in the basement somewhere, or they were thrown out when I did a major cleaning 2 years ago, complete with a 20 yard dumpster.

Oh! And I made 3 beautful babies!

Anonymous said...

You mean besides eating like a lumberjack? I am a good friend. I have a talent for that.

Garret said...

I'm good at mediating. I keep seeing different sides of every thing. Some friends say it's wishy washy others ask advice. I'm the constant:

Maybe he thinks that.... or maybe she's doing...

Garret

Lisa said...

Hmmm. I know I have a talent for writing. Honestly, though, it's hard to come up with anything much else. Part of it is like you say: it feels "prideful" to think about, and acknowledge what talents I may have. Plus, I just have a lot of baggage that makes it hard to feel good about myself :/ Boo hoo.

Hey, Liz, I sent you an email . . . did you get it?

Lisa said...

Oh yeah . . . I'm very organized. I guess that's a talent . . . ??

Eternal Lizdom said...

Joanie, there are many times in my life that I wish I knew someone with a hair talent... I would love to meet someone who could cut my hair and give me a look that really suits my features and my lifestyle!

Lisa, I haven't gotten an e-mail from you...

Alix, I think you are spot on. But I bet there's more...

Garret, I hear you! I've been "accused" of being able to see both sides of arguments many times. It's a gift and a curse!

Boozy Tooth said...

Okay then, the second of my greatest talents is that I have always been an artist in one form or another. Growing up it was drawing and painting and crafting. In college it was sculpture. In my 20s I found out I was a pretty good copywriter which led to me liking to put words together. And over the past 10 years, I became a pretty kick-ass desktop artist and marketing specialist for a major real estate company. My new challenge is going to require coming full-circle and I hope someday to write and illustrate a children's book. I'll send you my manuscript and you and Teagan can critique it for me. K?

Anonymous said...

My biggest talent is nurturing. I nurture my family, my friends and even those that I don't know. I am everyone's mom.

I am also a talented problem solver. I can find a way to make anything work or seem less stressful.

I am also a very talented multi tasker. I can do so many things at once that people are amazed.