I was on a run recently with some friends. We were running along the St. George Marathon road surrounded by views you could hardly dream up. The light of the early morning was playing on the red and white sandstone above large beds of black lava rock. We were passing the entrance of Snow Canyon State Park (Sidenote: Put it on your bucket list of places you must run!). The miles were ticking by as we covered many interesting topics, only to land on the subject of talents. We began to point out the gifts and talents of each other and people we know. As I pondered on my own gifts and talents, I didn’t really know what to say… I have so many friends who are talented in so many things, crafting, painting, singing, musical instruments, athletics, business, motherhood, etc. Me, being a jack of all trades, master of none, I finally said with slight embarrassment but truthfulness— “I guess I have the talent of appreciating the talents of others.” We all laughed about it, and ran on our way.
As I have pondered upon this experience since, I have come to realize that true and sincere appreciation of the talents of others, really is a gift. It has taken me some years of growing pains and experience to cultivate this gift— which, I might add, is still a work in progress.
The opposite of this gift might look like this:
While looking around at the gifts and talents of others— you tell yourself…
- “Well, I’m just not good at that.”
- “I guess that makes them better than me.”
- “I bet they have a perfect life because they are so good at that.”
- “This person is so good at [enter talent]— I bet they neglect their [family, studies, home, children, etc.] because of it.”
- “I could do it better.”
But you need to remember this:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
I have been caught in all of these traps of thinking, and just maybe I am the only one. 😉 Or just maybe one or two of you may have your hand up admittedly, “GUILTY!”. OR maybe it has become epidemic with social media at our finger tips every second of every day.
The accumulation of all of our different gifts and talents makes up a beautiful bouquet of flowers. We are different colors, sizes, and shapes with different talents and abilities. But that doesn’t change the fact that we are all FLOWERS and we ALL need the sun (SON).
It can get lonely in our own little field or patch of grass. But the sun (Son) is always there and always will be. When we realize that the race is to Him and not against each other— when we unite and cheer each other on, work together to sincerely appreciate each others talents, we are GLORIOUS, VIBRANT and become more beautiful than we could ever be alone.
I know that we are all children of a loving God who put each of us where we are for a purpose. He is quietly encouraging us to find our gifts and talents so that we can beautify the world around us. And love others and encourage others along the way. Sincerely encourage.
“Heavenly Father placed YOU in the best place to use your spiritual gifts and build your talents. No matter where you live or what life circumstances you find yourself in, you can make the choice to succeed, regardless of your challenges. Don’t ever give up. Keep going. Don’t quit. Remember, it’s what you do with what you have that makes you who you are.” -Richard G. Scott
Even if you feel your talents are small, you can still achieve. Where the desire is strong, seemingly weak talents may be strengthened and developed. You probably have gifts and talents that you have not yet discovered or that are dormant. These must be awakened.
We all have 1,080 minutes in a week. What are you going to do with your 1,080 minutes to increase your talents and discover your gifts?
For starters, I am taking piano lessons again (for the 3rd time since I was little!)
And I am trying to develop my talents as a Running Coach
Trying to re-awaken my once existent drawing skills 
And ALWAYS trying to be a better mom and wife, because what are gifts and talents if you don’t share them with those who matters the very most!
Awesome insights! I must agree that it is sometimes hard to see your own talents. I am guilty of comparing myself to others, also. “Comparison is the thief of joy”. Good luck in developing your talents!