Talent Show Talents

 I've been taught about talents since I was a small child, all through my teenage years, and into adulthood I've attended more lessons than I can remember about how we all have talents.  We just have to try hard, find ours, and develop them, so we can share our talents and bless the lives of others.  I have a confession, I've never liked those classes.

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Most of the time these lessons focus on what a friend of mine recently called "Talent Show Talents."  All those talents you can show and define, ones with tangible results from practice and hard work.  Dance.  Painting.  Playing an instrument.  Singing.  Gymnastics.  Sculpting.  Drawing.  You could also include "State Fair Talents"  especially in the LDS culture.  We love our talented quilters, seamstresses, bakers, cake decorators, those who make flaky pie crust or bread like manna from heaven, and talented home designers who are recognized for their style and flair.  Another set of tangible talents can be found in the athletic arenas of life, those who run fast, jump high, and throw a ball are lauded and praised for their abilities.

I can't do any of those things, and I've tried.  I'm simply not a talented athlete, dancer, or artist, I don't have a fabulous sense of style, I don't bake pastries that take your breath away, and no matter how hard I practice I will never sing like an angel.  And I tire of hearing people espouse these talents as the only examples.  I tire of hearing how it is our responsiblity to find, share and develop these talents.  I promise, I've looked.  I don't think it was a joke when my Jr. High Choir teacher asked me (in front of the entire class) to please only mouth the words, as I had a voice like a frog and it ruined the song.  I've taken classes and lessons, and haven't found a single "Talent Show Talent" I can share to bless the lives of others. 

I do believe we all have talents that we can use to bless the lives of others, and most of them aren't glamourous.  I have a friend who can listen and lock what I tell her away like it's in a vault, that's a talent.  I have a friend who always knows just when I need a smile and a hug, and she gives them, that's a talent.  I have a friend who is always the first to welcome a newcomer, or say hello to a visitor and that's a talent.  I have a friend who is the most amazing, patient, loving mother, that's a talent.  I have a friend who does whatever is asked of her well, and quickly, and usually does more than you ask, that's a talent.  I have a friend who is a gifted teacher, who draws the most out of every class and subject, that's a talent I love being blessed by.

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I could keep going, but I think you get my point.  There is more to the realm of talents than those we can demonstrate on a stage or display on a wall.  I despised all those lessons as a young woman because I walked away feeling like I just wasn't good enough, or worse, like I wasn't as loved and blessed because I couldn't do those things.   Even as an adult I have picked up the subtle cue that I'm just not talented.  Several years ago I attended a Relief Society weeknight meeting where the talents of every woman in attendance were highlighted.  You know what the best they came up with for me was?  "Home remodeling"  I have never remodeled a home in my life!  I couldn't believe it.  Sure I had painted some walls and taken down some popcorn ceilings in my time, but that does not a remodel make, let alone a talent for remodeling.  I felt awful, less than nothing.  I sat and listened as the musical talents, organizing abilities, and artistic abilities of my friends were lauded, and felt like nothing.  "Not even my friends could come up with some area I was talented in," I thought. "How sad is that?" I wondered silently.  And later, as I pondered on my feelings that night I realized I have my own talents, but they aren't "talent show talents."  People don't see my talents, and  that's alright, I'm thankful to have learned I can give and serve in other ways.  Over time I have learned that while I love the way my soul stirs as the piano is played, or sighs in reverance at the elegance of dance, some of the  most valuable talents are those we never see, those we never hear, and those we never taste.