Talent Time

As a reward for the last 5 minutes of class, my students get to do Talent Time. It's where they sing or play an instrument or tell jokes and get to perform for their class. They absolutely love it and ask me if we are going to have talent time every class. They are not brilliantly executed, these little performances. In fact, 9 times out of 10,  they are just making junk up. But they get up in front of their peers and do whatever it is they do, and they have fun.  Tonight I went to a ward talent show and saw a multitude of acts-from a DDR re-enactment to jump roping skills, karate, an Eminem soliloquy and some dudes in tutus. I sang (of course). I did well. I was no Rene Fleming, but I did OK.  It's ironic, really. Singing for me is kind of part of the job...I do it every day. Today wasn't much different than my kids and their Talent Time. We got up in front of our peers and made a bunch of junk up. The junk has evolved, some even practiced-and a lot of it very well executed-but maybe because I'm in it, there is no mystery. I guess my point is this: It's not all it's cracked up to be. So many are fascinated by the performing arts. They see the talents of others as these incredible gifts, yet seem to miss their own because they can't be showcased on a stage or in some other physical form. I guess we are often like that, but how is it that we miss our talents that are just as valuable-if not more so-in daily life?  After I sang, I got a lot of compliments. One came from a friendly acquaintance who claimed to have no talents of his own, yet he carries an easy athleticism, a memory I would kill for, and a great sense of humor that uplifts all around him. Three traits I envy and find lacking in my own life. (Plus he seemed to pull out a pretty respectable robot out of nowhere...) I sing. I am good at it. I've worked at it. But just because I have a talent that is acutely visible, it's definitely not my favorite thing about me, and I don't consider it my greatest gift. And maybe my friend was just being modest, but I think his reaction brings up a good point. We are more than the visual. We are far greater than we give ourselves credit for. Maybe deep down we know that, but what is it that prevents us from owning it? We don't have to be overt about our greatness, but a quiet confidence in oneself and the abilities our Heavenly Father has given us is probably one of the greatest gifts we can give Him and when we do, we can't help but lift and give others that opportunity to do the same.

The Climb

"I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it". -B. Bancard

There's always going to be another mountain.

I'm always gonna want to make it move

Always gonna be another battle

Sometimes you just have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

 It's the climb.

I love this song. Not Miley, just the song. In fact, I cry 90% of the time I hear it. I first heard it sung by one of my 5th grade girls during our end of the year class talent show. There was something about her very imperfect voice and this inspirational song that just clicked for me-a flawless performance isn't the goal. It's the journey. It's the heart. I don't even remember her name now-that student-but I will always remember that moment. (And I cried) Sometimes in a rush to get things done, I forget what I'm becoming just being alive and moving forward. Most days I don't do anything incredible, but I do something to get closer to incredible, and all those somethings put together will be something someday. Something good. Possibly incredible. Probably. Incredible.