Talents

The lesson in Relief Society yesterday was on "Developing our Talents". I really enjoyed the lesson, and I actually studied it for a few weeks -- just because the lesson intrigued me so much.

Talents. We ALL have them.

The manual stated:

We all have special gifts, talents, and abilities given to us by our Heavenly Father. When we were born, we brought these gifts, talents, and abilities with us.

I LOVE that. I love knowing that our special talents -- our gifts -- were given to us even before we came to earth! As I pondered that concept, I wanted to know . . . what is my gift?

I figure if I can hone-in on the thing(s) I am good at, or rather, magnify the gifts I have been given, then I can -- more or less -- use my super-powers for the greatest-good. We are meant to USE our talents to Glorify God and increase them -- NOT bury them in the dirt. We will be accountable for how we use out talents!

So, first, before I can use my gifts . . . I want to KNOW what it is that I do well, naturally, so I can focus my efforts. For example: If super-hero-strength is my gift, then I should spend time finding ways to use THAT gift, extending my strength-capacity to the very brink; Rather than, say, focusing my efforts on something out-of-my-league, like lightning-bolt-eyes or flying.

Not that anything is impossible, mind you -- but if you have a gift you have been blessed with, I believe that there is a REASON for it. And that gift -- magnified -- might just help you become the person that God wants you to be. You can ALWAYS develop new talents. But I also think within us there is a "core-talent" that can encompass a bunch of other talents. For example, maybe you are a goal-setter or super-organized, or amazingly kind. You can find a million ways to set goals and accomplish them, or a million ways to be kind to others.

Switching gears for just a minute . . .

In the book Twilight all the vampires have special gifts. They were gifts they had when they were human, but magnified when they turned immortal. Some gifts were more flashy/show-stoppers (super-strength, mind-reading, seeing the future), while others were more subtle (desire to help people, influencing emotions, super self-control) -- but each gift was powerful, depending on how it was used.

I think it is the same for us. Some talents and gifts are more subtle, while others may be more "showy" but each gift is special and unique and can be used by the gift-bearer to accomplish great and miraculous things.

So, what is my gift? What is YOUR gift?

In Relief Society, the teacher had us go around the room and we each had to say what we thought one of our talents were. It sounds easier than it is! Saying it out loud, acknowledging it verbally, makes you feel kind of arrogant or something. It was HARD. But it was fascinating!! As an avid people-watcher I was in heaven! ;-)

It was interesting to hear what others felt their gifts were, and as they would say it out loud, you could see that it was true. Here are a few things that were said:

Having a calming influence on others (She is a nurse)

Not judging others (Relief Society President)

Creating a beautiful home environment (Stake Relief Society Pres.)

Music (Ward Organist)

Good at teaching (Mother)

Ability to endure hardship (Experienced extreme hardships)

Cheerfulness (This lady has the most pleasant face I have ever seen -- besides my mother)

It was very interesting to observe all these women and their talents. I loved every minute of it.

So, after some discussing with Charles and family, I have determined what I believe my "core-talent" is . . .

Atmosphere.

I have the ability to create a certain atmosphere: in my home, when I sing, when I put a program together, when I teach, etc.

This is something I have done since I was a little girl. I would rearrange my furniture, I would set my lighting a certain way, play mood-music, light candles, decorate, etc. (I am talking constantly, and I would do it for fun). I would spend hours singing in my karaoke machine (I have painful proof!) trying to improve my voice. I have spent a lot of time studying people, so I could understand them better, and be a better teacher. My greatest desire is to do these things for a purpose, and with power.

Decorate a home with power? Absolutely.

The purpose of this gift? My great hope is that through the atmosphere that I am able to create (at home, singing, teaching, etc.) . . . I can invite the Spirit in.

That is POWER. I have seen it. I have seen hearts change. I have seen moods change. I have seen people change.

Just like preparing your home for a guest, you have to prepare your home for the Spirit, too. The same goes for singing, teaching, etc. It is in the preparation, in the creation, that allows the Spirit to come.

I have seen proof of this gift over and over. The greatest evidence that I have used my gift well is: tears.

I love to make people cry. Nothing gives me greater joy than tears. :-)

So, take some time to ponder on your own talents and finding out what gift Heavenly Father gave YOU. When you know what you are good at then it makes it MUCH easier to focus your energy in the right direction. Pray about it, too. Pray to know what your talent is. You might just be surprised!

We all have a bit of super-hero in us, after all!

P.S. make sure and call first before you stop by my home . . . atmosphere takes time! wink! ;-)

Are you brave enough to tell me YOUR talents???

Though, being the people-watcher that I am, I probably already know!