A talent I wish I had.
Now what would that be?
I can’t remember any other school that had such a beautiful art room as St Mary’s School, Pune where I studied between the age of 9 and 11. It was a little cottage that overlooked a garden. I remember the art teacher, Ms Lawrence, who was quite a lady. But most of all I remember my sad attempts at painting one particular day. We were each given an easel and watercolors and told to draw and paint the garden. I could visualize my finished product in my head – what a perfect piece of art it was going to be. An hour later, I had a soggy mess of paper that refused to dry! I was so upset with myself that day. I realized that I was not an artist. I couldn’t put down into a drawing all the beauty my mind visualized. My hand refused to cooperate with my head! People have told me that I can still learn to draw – but when it doesn’t come naturally to me, I don’t want to pursue it.
I recall all my attempts to learn the piano. I do have a ear for music and can hold a tune. But I wanted to play the piano by ear like I had watched my aunts and uncles, and later, cousins do. Who wanted to spend hours practising scales and learning to read music? When I realized that I would never be able to play by ear, I gave up.
I started writing this post to tell you about the talent I wish I had, didn’t I? Do you think it’s art or music? No, it’s not.
The talent I wish I had is ‘follow through’: to be able to stick to the interests I have and pursue them until I do the best I possibly can. I don’t have to be the best, to do my best!
What’s the talent you wish you had?
I’m taking part in BlogFEST 2012 – the biggest blog party in October! Today’s host is Shannon Cannon Timura who blogs at Tree Girly. Read her post here.
Buffer
Excellent post!! Sometimes I wish I could paint as well–I am familiar with the soggy mess of a water color painting. *Sigh* But to wish for “follow through” That is AWESOME! And one I could use on occasion, too.
Cheers, Jenn.
Jenn recently posted..If Only
Good old school days – don’t we all remember them 🙂
But yes, I could never really do what I was told to do right there and then. It took me time, but when I got the hang of things it stayed with me forever.
I love to paint and sketch, though I never really learnt them at school. I learnt them on my own, when I had the time and interest, which are two important things you need to pursue anything – isn’t it?
Similarly, more than playing any instrument, which I could never really – I loved to sing. But again, it was always at home and within my family. 🙂
I guess we learn all such talent at school, as it forms a base, but how we pursue them depends a lot on our interest.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted..The Right Time For a Change
Ah, Corinne, it all seems perfect when one imagines it but the reality is something else. I guess with music, I am like you. I tried learning the guitar, the piano but didn’t get myself to go on with it. But I really wish that I could play some instrument so that I could play the instrument and sing.
I have a trillion things like that which I wish but don’t know whether it would happen for real.
Is this the second post for “Blog Tag . . . You’re It?”
Joy always,
Susan
You have an immense talent of touching hearts so art and music can take a backseat. I tried my hand at painting and sewing but realised it was not my forte. Great post.
Sulekha recently posted..A Practice of Creativity: 30 Days of Writing
I agree with Sulekha, you really do have the best talent in the world. 🙂
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And also, I am very very VERY sure this is one talent you will always carry till the end of time.
Punam J R recently posted..Senses
Such a wonderful post ..It made me go back to my school days and think about those days with a huge grin 🙂
Some talent that I wish I had was singing… oh I so so so admire people who can sing beautifully. Actually my dad took me to a lady who was going to be my teacher but she asked me to sing something after which she told my dad I am not a singer material. 🙁
Was I heartbroken? Yes till quite sometime I was..feeling dejected. But then I let it go sometime back and love to sing along to my favourite songs loudly as I don’t want to think how nice do I sound ( or should I say I don’t!!! 🙂 )
I also feel bad I should given myself another shot with some other teacher but then her comments were so deeply instilled in me that it took me a lot of time to come over it. I still believe better late than never as “to learn how to sing’ still happens to be on my to-do list to be executed some day… he he he
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Agree with Sulekha. When I have seen my friends have natural talent for sewing, embroidery and other crafts, I did envy them. But, I did not have the patience nor the interest in learning them, so why waste time? Gave up envying a long time back.
I’ve no talent for drawing or painting, even though my grandfather was an artist and my mother could draw fairly well. I’ve no talent for singing either, even though my grandmother was a beautiful singer. Their genes were obviously not passed down to me!
Paula Martin recently posted..Blogfest 2012 – Make a Wish
Most people don’t have this talent Corinne. All of us are quite fickle minded about some things and we lose interest fast
. I do love drawing and I used to lay the Guitar. Now, I don’t do either because I developed some new hobbies and took to writing since past 4 years. I plan to stick to this hobby till I can type 🙂
Lazy Pineapple recently posted..Kabootar Ja Ja Ja
Very nice !! Love your blog today about talents..! We do give up too easily at times!
I’d also love to be able to paint… just not on my palette of talents…yet!
Great article.Everybody has some kind of gift or talent, but let’s face it, some talents are more practical or impressive than others.
Music, dance, poetry, embroidery, housekeeping :). The list goes on and on. But, I am very happy with the talents I have.
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Like Rachna, I’m very content with the talents God has seen fit to give me. But, you are so right about the follow-through, Corinne. If we don’t practice and work on those gifts, they will never amount to anything. And, we don’t know if we are good at something, like art or music, unless we try it out.
Great thoughts as always, my friend!
Blessings!
Martha Orlando recently posted.."Unless the LORD Builds the House . . ."
Dance would be No. 1 talent, I wish I had!
I have no talent for painting, embroidery, art and craft, playing any instrument… but that’s ok with me and I have no plans (had never) to learn these. But dancing is something, I wish I could do sometime!
Shilpa Garg recently posted..Ten on Tuesday – 23
i keep trying and keep failing but i never stop myself from finding my real interest 🙂
so i am still in search of my real talent …
I would love to draw. Every once in a while I dust off some drawing books and practice. I have no natural talent for it. But like you, the best talent I could have is follow -through. Even my writing I don’t pursue with the passion I wish I had. I appreciate reminders like yours, that put me back on track.
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Oh I do wish I could be athletic, Corinne. I don’t know if that’s a talent but I admire athletic people, most especially women athletes. I really suck in sports and hated every sports activity we had in high school and college because I always got a low mark LOL
To know one’s talent is one thing. To stick to them is another. I think it’s the latter that is more challenging because it would require a lot of discipline on our part.
Take care and God bless, Corinne! ❤❤❤ 🙂
Irene recently posted..My Heart Cries
Painting has never been my interest, though I love to look at it, own it, appreciate it. I do like to draw. I am into color and shape and sometimes I think mosaic is the best description of what I draw. I am not so good at creating what I see in my mind if the item is real or if I am trying to copy something I have seen or imagined. I am way better at color combinations that soothe or excite and shapes that seem to blend or compliment. Abstract is my brain and my work.
I have a little ocd so sticking with something to completion is rarely an issue for me.
Good job, missy.
Jo recently posted..MAKE A WISH
Dear Corinne,
Very interesting. If you believe you need to develop more of an ability to follow-through then I shall hold you in my heart with that vision! Blessings! XOXOXO
Dangerous Linda recently posted..The Shrewd Shrew
I wish I could sing … never could. I cant play an instrument either
Really nice post. I am in Pune now so know about St. Mary’s. It is one of the best schools here.
One talent I wish I had was to play guitar. This is still a dream I wish to accomplish someday.
Jas recently posted..The Krishna Key
Ah –follow through … that is the one thing I have put on the top my kids’ list. They are getting better … and hopefully someday, they would master it.
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I was so delighted to see this post 🙂 I thought you would be pursuing painting 😉 You’ve taken so many challenges and I thought you would on this one.
You are right about the ‘follow through’. Fher has given me that challenge this week. He wished to see me paint again. My niece asked me to draw two cows twice. The first time I did, I felt like my hand was placed in a cast for two weeks. The second time, I drew it with my heart. It needs practice and regularity ~ more passion I guess.
Well, I wish I could sing *more* and in public 😉 I still haven’t the heart to do it 😛 Two friends already asked me. I need practice 😛
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This is an amazing post in that it goes to prove if you have the passion and determination to learn and perfect your talent you can do anything! I taught myself to read music and play the piano. I always quite the artist too in my younger days. I often wish I could have done something professionally with my art or in the music business, but like you I failed to follow through. I regret it now and feel it is too late for me.
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot,com
Kathy recently posted..I Wish for Strength
I wish I had an artistic talent of some sort–painting, sculpture, quilting, some sort of craft. My sister got all of that in our family–she is a very talented artist. (She did the painting on my book cover.) So I will be content to be related to someone with such talent!
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HOW I WISH I COULD READ AND WRITE SNASKRIT
b k chowla recently posted..72
Paintinf, singing, dancing…the list was so long…sigh!!
Bindu recently posted..Make a Wish
This piece is just precious to me Corinne. I teach music, and if you studied with me I wouldn’t make you practice scales, I’d let you play whatever suited your fancy 😉
The talent I wish I had is ‘follow through’: to be able to stick to the interests I have and pursue them until I do the best I possibly can. I don’t have to be the best, to do my best! – me too!
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Tiger Mom says that you don’t enjoy anything until you’re good at it….and you can only be good at it via hard work and hours of practice…the follow-through, as it were! Of course, that would also mean that you would need some one to stand next to you with a stick in her hand; some one who would even refuse to let you go to the bathroom till you got that ‘The White Little Donkey’ right!! 😛
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Wish I could sing and play an instrument. Though my husband tells me it’s never too late to start learning, I think he’s just being nice. And you’re right. We may never be the best but we ought to try our best. At least, that’s what I hope I’m doing.
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Wow, interesting post, Corinne! I liked the topic a lot. Hmm, well, since you asked… I actually wish I had the talent to sing. People say that I’m a gifted painter and a good writer, but I wish I could sing better. I mean, it’s not very bad, and I put my soul into it whenever I do sing, but my voice is somewhat average. Nothing special or beautiful about it, and I hate it.
I’m happy to say that I have that last talent! I always stick to my interests. I’ve been drawing for thirteen years, I even went to a painting school and graduated after eight years. I love learning languages so I never stopped – I’m learning Persian/Farsi at the moment and I’m enjoying it. Even blogging is an interest which you can stick to, if you look at it that way – so, don’t fret, you did stick to one interest after all!
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I hear you. I too tend to pick up too many trades because I am always so ambitious in taking in knowledge.
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O, to be able to do justice to your interests! I purchase books at twice the rate I can read them. And I spend twice the money I earn on photographic gears (yes, i know all those loans are going to snowball onto me one day…!). I liked the childhood snippet and the conclusion of your piece.
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I am still trying to answer the question, Corinne: Is there a thing called natural talent? Or is it just that we develop it as a skill?
(I have heard of genes having something to do with all this; maybe it could be a natural talent).
Anyways, a talent I wish I had?
As of now I don’t have any (Well, If I really had any wish, I would already be doing it, right? At least trying?)
But, painting is something that I had problems with too (though my mom is a good painter, not on paper, on glass :D).
I do play keyboard, which is a version of piano 😉 First learned western, but never could grasp. And finally, I learned Carnatic (well, you know, an adaptation from Harmonium). Carnatic really helped to gain the skill, pretty soon I was able to play musics of several songs (without knowing the notes; just the tunes are enough in Carnatic).
I know how you feel. I have so many interests and such. I have a hard time keeping up with everything that I do. My husband thinks I am over-extended all the time. I just think that if we both plug away at everything, we will be able to follow thru on everything!
I’m learning more and more that it’s better for me to appreciate other people’s talents rather than to desire them. This is mostly true because I’ve failed miserably at being a good artist, my stick figures are working much better 😉 At any rate, this can be a way to let the mind wander, open, unguarded and wish for something other than what you have. Obvious point being we all have talents and we all can make a contribution. Thanks for another inspiring post 🙂
If I began writing down things I didn’t have the talent for, it would run into thousands of words 🙂 We each have something that only we are good at and often it is the others who can spot this talent. You, dear Corinne, have the talent of being a wonderful person and putting your motivating thoughts into words. That encompasses everything 🙂
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