Cultivating Talents

I am a firm believer in life long learning. Each time that I take the time to cultivate a new talent, the next talent I work on comes that much easier.  I am always reminded of the parable of the Master who gave his three servants a different number of talents. For the ones who used their talents they got the same number back. And for the one that did not use the talent that he was give, his talent was taken away.


Pres. Thomas S. Monson said:  
"Share your talents. Each of you, single or married, regardless of age, has the opportunity to learn and grow. Expand your knowledge, both intellectual and spiritual, to the full stature of your divine potential. There is no limit to your influence for good. Share your talents, for that which we willingly share, we keep. But that which we selfishly keep, we lose."

A couple of years ago I decided that I would learn how to knit. I basically only knit scarves these days but they make for easy Christmas and birthday presents, and in financial times such as these it is definitely a plus to know how to knit, even if you happen to live in a state that sees sunshine most of the year. Today I wanted to share the birthday present I made for my friend. All I had to do was pick the right color of yarn and figure out how to knit in the H. I can't wait to give it to her this weekend. 

Side Note: Any scarf can be magical if you have the right yarn.

I have been thinking about what talent to work on next and have narrowed it down to working on is my writing abilities. I am looking at what kind of writing classes I can take at home in my pajamas. Then I can one day write a book, about what I have no idea, but then I can think about staying at home and devoting my entire life to learning as much as possible. This is to say that if knowledge is the only thing that I get to take with me at the end of this life, I don't want to only know about television shows and movies.

Balancing Under Pressure

I have been told on many occasions and by multiple people that I bring balance to their lives. That when I walk in the room people tend to just calm down because they know that everything is going to be alright. And if it isn't enough that people flat out tell me this, I also have it on good authority in a blessing that the Lord thinks the exact same thing, not exactly in those words but pretty darn close.

I know this might sound like I am bragging or being arrogant, but the truth is having this ability to make others feel better sometimes leaves me feeling a little bit like I am under pressure. A pressure that is more like a weight on my chest than anything else. It often leaves me feeling the need to make sure everybody is okay and taking care of all the time.

I recognize that those are qualities of a mother, but the thing is I am not a mother. So why do I spend all my free time organizing parties so people have things to do on weekends? And arranging rides so everyone can get to activities? And most importantly why do I add this responsibility to myself when I have so many more responsibilities that I already have to take care of?

Because all the stress and responsibilities that I deal with mean that someone else is included and hopefully having a good time. Maybe I need to spend more time focusing on what this planning is doing for other people rather than how  I feel so overwhelmed. There are things that seem to make it worth the effort, like when I received a text message from a friend the other day simply stating that she was so happy that I had thought to invite her to dinner party I am planning for this weekend. 

I guess just like me, other people want to feel like someone is thinking of them and caring about their well being. And many times we forget that there is always someone with us doing just that.

Starting A New Blog... Again!

I always get into my head that I could just start a new blog at anytime and that it is gonna be the most amazing thing that I will ever do. Everyone will read it and think I am intelligent and funny and they will be inspired by my unique view of the world. Maybe that could happen, mostly likely it won't though and that is okay with me.

The main thing that has been stopping me from starting this venture is fear. The fear that everyone will just see a young kid trying hard to just not drown in this crazy world.  In the end I will have to realize that this is okay because in all honesty that is a little bit how I feel sometimes.

But when I sit down and really start to think about all the reasons I want to post my thoughts and feelings, it has very little to do with impressing anyone else and more to do with me needing to find another way to express myself. Of my many hopes for this blog I wish to work on perfecting myself as I have been asked to do, and just maybe in the process of helping myself grow, I can help others as well.

I guess I will sooner or later find out how this venture goes. :)