Gustave Eiffel's Iron Lady was inaugurated on 31 March 1889, and opened on 6 May. Today the Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the world and is the single most visited paid monument in the world. However, the tower was not well received when first built; many called it an eyesore. Novelist Guy de Maupassant—who claimed to hate the tower—supposedly ate lunch in the Tower's restaurant every day. When asked why, he answered that it was the one place in Paris where one could not see the structure.
When I ponder on the lack of acceptance given to this architectural art piece, which I hold so dear, I begin to relate it to my own lack of acceptance of the talents that my Heavenly Father obviously wants me to develop.
Let me explain--as a child I wanted nothing more than to learn to play piano like my big sister. I begged my mom to take lessons. Both of my older sisters had the privilege of lessons. And I will state as evidence that the youngest sibling does not get everything they want, that I was denied my request. My mother told me that my sisters could teach me.
Well that really did not get anywhere. Teenage sisters are not very interested in teaching younger siblings anything. So I took it upon myself to learn the art of piano playing. And I did learn. However, I have never gotten to the point where I would consider myself a pianist (even though I can normally sight read at least one clef at a time.) I have never accepted piano playing as a talent. Even though I enjoy sitting at a piano to play some tunes, I have never really thought to seriously try to better my abilities.
It would seem that my Heavenly Father has other thoughts of my talent. In my last ward, I was called to be the pianist for the primary children. When I moved last fall, it took a month to receive the same calling in my new ward. I hear my Heavenly Father silently shouting to me that I am a pianist and my talents are meant to be used.
Are you overly modest about your talents?
Do you have talents that you have a hard time accepting?
What are they?
Wait, I have talents? Okay, just kidding. Of course I am shy about any writing talent I might have. Do you know how many years I thought, If I tell people I like to write - they might actually ask me to write something for them! Yeah, talents were scary for me until I decided they made life so much more enjoyable! Love the picture and the quote.
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