18 | October | 2012 | SpilledCookies

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.” – Erma Bombeck

When I read the quote by Erma Bombeck I thought, “Wow, that would be amazing to be able to say that you used all the talent you were given.” As of right this moment I cannot say that is true for me. I have not lived long enough yet and not in a way that uses all the talent I have been given.

On that note if I were to direct my life to be able to utilize all my talents then I have some major changes that need to take place. I will definitely need more time to write, to draw and paint, to play music, to dance, to do needlework, cook and that’s just a start. There are a lot of talents I don’t possess, and just as many I haven’t tried yet.

There are many talents that I have put on the shelf through the years, knowing that I would not have time to devote to developing them or to enjoy them as I took care of children then later parents. It is amazing what you forget while you are busy watching the little one’s take their first steps and grow to make their way in the world.

Then one day you find you have teenagers instead of small children and more time available than you had before. You find yourself doing some soul searching, even going back to those shelves in the back of your mind to see what talents can be dusted off and used again.

I haven’t utilized many of my talents for years. I dare say that even before my children came along, I didn’t use some of them on a regular basis. Yet, talents are given to us for a reason and some, if not used over time, can be lost.

Perhaps it is time to go back and dust off some old interests, memories, and talents to see where they fit in this journey going forward. Life should be enjoyed and shared with others often. What fun to go back and remember who we were, then discover who we can become as we continue to grow and develop the talents we were given.

Cherry Coley ©