Talent Incognito

Admitting to others that I write has been a challenge for me.  When I first  got invited to write for Mormon Mommy Writers I remember telling Jenni and Nikki that I was just a baby in the writing field.  Blending into the background would be so much easier.

Yet I know that I have been blessed with a talent that I must not hide from the world.  Do not get me wrong.  I am not claiming to be brilliant and masterful.  I think that is what has been the hardest part of acceptance for me.  I do write, I can write, but I'm not brilliant.  There are SO many other authors who can writer circles around me. 

When I came across the article "If Your Talents come Incognito" by Anya Bateman I was very touched and enlightened.

I especially loved this paragraph:

Recognize that there are different levels of development. Too often we decide we don’t have a particular talent because that talent is not complete or perfect. We forget that a gift in its beginning stages is still a gift. I remember feeling disgusted at my early writing efforts after reading a well-crafted article. But a few years later, after I had developed my talent further, magazines began publishing my articles.

Much is said about success coming through determination, but I feel that patience with ourselves is just as important to our development. It is essential to realize that things take time and that few of us can perfect talents overnight. With Heavenly Father’s help, we can learn to rejoice in every step we make—even if it seems minuscule. As we continue to nurture ourselves and seek his help, we will be astounded at the progress we make over the long run.

 So if you too have struggled with your talents, please stop trying to blend into the background.  Get out there and develop your gifts, and put in the work it takes to excel.  

"Too often we decide we don’t have a particular talent because that talent is not complete or perfect. We forget that a gift in its beginning stages is still a gift."