Showing posts with label Talents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Talents. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Susan Boyle and Erroneous Assumptions
You've probably heard the buzz about the 47-year-old woman who wowed the judges on a British TV show similar to American Idol. Her name is Susan Boyle.
The video clip is posted at YouTube but it wouldn't let me embed it so here's the url http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z0h1NNk1Ik if you'd like to view it. Or go to YouTube and input Susan Boyle--there are several versions.
She's amazing. Her voice is so clear and so gorgeous. Breath-taking really. Inspiring. Brought me to tears. It was obvious that no one expected that voice to come out of her. Why? Because we're all so shallow to think that only "beautiful" people can have such a voice.
What a shame that we miss out on so many people and their talents simply because they don't fit into our definition of pretty or beautiful or cool or ________ . We judge others by the way they look. We make assumptions about intelligence, social ranking, economic status, and talents based on how we perceive someone else's physical beauty or, in our opinion, lack of it.
For example, a large, multi-level marketing company, advises its salespeople to buy a Cadillac and make sure to drive the Cadillac to appointments so potential customers will assume they make a lot of money selling their products and will want to sell the products as well. After all, it's the appearance that matters.
We are a visually stimulated people and because of that we make erroneous assumptions. Susan Boyle proved it perfectly when she sang. The looks on the judges faces was priceless as they realized their mistaken judgment of this woman's talent.
I hope Susan Boyle will become super successful. Even more, I hope people will realize that you can't judge a book by its cover. Bravo, Susan Boyle.
The video clip is posted at YouTube but it wouldn't let me embed it so here's the url http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z0h1NNk1Ik if you'd like to view it. Or go to YouTube and input Susan Boyle--there are several versions.
She's amazing. Her voice is so clear and so gorgeous. Breath-taking really. Inspiring. Brought me to tears. It was obvious that no one expected that voice to come out of her. Why? Because we're all so shallow to think that only "beautiful" people can have such a voice.
What a shame that we miss out on so many people and their talents simply because they don't fit into our definition of pretty or beautiful or cool or ________ . We judge others by the way they look. We make assumptions about intelligence, social ranking, economic status, and talents based on how we perceive someone else's physical beauty or, in our opinion, lack of it.
For example, a large, multi-level marketing company, advises its salespeople to buy a Cadillac and make sure to drive the Cadillac to appointments so potential customers will assume they make a lot of money selling their products and will want to sell the products as well. After all, it's the appearance that matters.
We are a visually stimulated people and because of that we make erroneous assumptions. Susan Boyle proved it perfectly when she sang. The looks on the judges faces was priceless as they realized their mistaken judgment of this woman's talent.
I hope Susan Boyle will become super successful. Even more, I hope people will realize that you can't judge a book by its cover. Bravo, Susan Boyle.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Talents
Two of my daughters and I participated in a craft fair on Saturday. Prior to the fair, my daughters made earrings, t-shirts, and Christmas ornaments. I was impressed with the beauty and uniqueness of each pair of earrings, t-shirt, and candy cane ornaments they made. I tried my hand at a few pair of earrings, but decided my talent must be elsewhere so I offered my books for sale.
Unfortunately, we didn’t attract a large crowd for the fair and of those that attended, few were interested in what we offered. I did sell my books and we sold a few pairs of earrings and some ornaments. Sales weren’t what my daughters had hoped for, but it was still a good experience because they discovered new talents.
In Matthew 25:15-30 we learn about the parable of the talents. The first two servants increased their talents while the third buried his. When the master came to collect the talents, he was pleased with his first two servants who had doubled their talents. Said he to the servants, “ . . . Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23).
When he asked the third servant about the talent he’d been given, the servant replied, “ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine” (Matthew 15:25). The master was displeased that his servant had not increased the talent he’d been given. The master took the talent from the unprofitable servant and gave it to the first servant.
“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath” (Matthew 25:29). In other words, if we do not increase our talent we will lose even that talent which we possess.
Heavenly Father has blessed each one of us with talents. It’s up to us individually to do something with that talent.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to know what talent we’ve been blessed with. In the past, when I’ve attended Relief Society talent nights, I’ve felt self-conscious because I don’t sing, dance, or play an instrument. I don’t sew, can, or knit (actually, I really like to knit and crochet, but I’m not very good at it). I love to write, but still don’t know if it’s actually a talent or I’m just too stubborn to give it up.
Talents aren’t only what we can see or hear. I have a sister who has a talent for empathy. If she becomes aware of anyone that’s struggling, she’s quick to lend help and support. I have kids whose talents include compassion, faith, obedience, optimism, and kindness. My husband has a talent for gentleness and meekness.
If we hide our talents because we fear what others may say or think, we won’t be able to accomplish that which Heavenly Father wants us to accomplish. We each have specific talents for a reason. We need to do our best to develop our talents and use them to bless the lives of others.
Return to the neighborhood.
And while you're there, subscribe to our fantastic newsletter. Welcome to the yourLDSneighborhood newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the LDS newsletter brings you LDS articles, LDS products, LDS services, LDS resources and LDS interviews from around the world—all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. LDS Newsletter Subscriptions are FREE, and joining is easy.
Unfortunately, we didn’t attract a large crowd for the fair and of those that attended, few were interested in what we offered. I did sell my books and we sold a few pairs of earrings and some ornaments. Sales weren’t what my daughters had hoped for, but it was still a good experience because they discovered new talents.
In Matthew 25:15-30 we learn about the parable of the talents. The first two servants increased their talents while the third buried his. When the master came to collect the talents, he was pleased with his first two servants who had doubled their talents. Said he to the servants, “ . . . Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23).
When he asked the third servant about the talent he’d been given, the servant replied, “ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine” (Matthew 15:25). The master was displeased that his servant had not increased the talent he’d been given. The master took the talent from the unprofitable servant and gave it to the first servant.
“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath” (Matthew 25:29). In other words, if we do not increase our talent we will lose even that talent which we possess.
Heavenly Father has blessed each one of us with talents. It’s up to us individually to do something with that talent.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to know what talent we’ve been blessed with. In the past, when I’ve attended Relief Society talent nights, I’ve felt self-conscious because I don’t sing, dance, or play an instrument. I don’t sew, can, or knit (actually, I really like to knit and crochet, but I’m not very good at it). I love to write, but still don’t know if it’s actually a talent or I’m just too stubborn to give it up.
Talents aren’t only what we can see or hear. I have a sister who has a talent for empathy. If she becomes aware of anyone that’s struggling, she’s quick to lend help and support. I have kids whose talents include compassion, faith, obedience, optimism, and kindness. My husband has a talent for gentleness and meekness.
If we hide our talents because we fear what others may say or think, we won’t be able to accomplish that which Heavenly Father wants us to accomplish. We each have specific talents for a reason. We need to do our best to develop our talents and use them to bless the lives of others.
Return to the neighborhood.
And while you're there, subscribe to our fantastic newsletter. Welcome to the yourLDSneighborhood newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the LDS newsletter brings you LDS articles, LDS products, LDS services, LDS resources and LDS interviews from around the world—all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. LDS Newsletter Subscriptions are FREE, and joining is easy.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
American Idol
Wow--what a night. I loved the opening to American Idol. That announcer guy has quite a voice.
David Cook sang his first song and I thought he did a great job. He's amazing. When he teared up after his last song, it made me teary, too. I love how he can make a song his own by rearranging it.
When David Archuleta sang his first song, it gave me goosebumps. I love that kid. His voice is so pure and he sings with such emotion and conviction. I love to listen to him sing. He seems to be such a geniuinely good kid, too.
My teenage daughters can't decide who they like the most and which one they want to marry :).
This has been a great season with so many talented contestants. I am very excited to see who wins tonight. I think it's going to be extremely close because they are both so good.
My vote is for David Archuleta.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The Performing Bug
Two of my children have been performing in Willy Wonka. My son has been playing "Phineous Trout" the TV reporter who interviews all of the kids who find a golden ticket. Each time he comes on stage, he does something totally self-absorbed (i.e. pulls out his sunglasses, combs his hair, acts like he's cool, checks out the ladies) and then starts the interview. He's made the character his own and it's humorous to watch him.
My daughter is playing "Veruka Salt" the spoiled, rude, pampered little rich girl. My daughter plays her to the hilt, complete with screaming hissy fits and an accent. She also sings a solo and does a great job. It's fun watching her play such a bratty little girl.
It's amazing to me that my kids have this talent. My husband and I both played sports. Yet, almost all (and I'd venture to guess even the youngest ones) of my kids love to perform. Give any of them a stage and they're happy. (This can be, and has been, a problem in school, however, because the teachers tend to dislike it when kids upstage them). My youngest daughter, age 4, will insist on a regular basis that we sit on the couch and watch her dance and sing and tell stories.
I'm not sure why, but the performing bug has hit my kids hard. I've learned to sit back and enjoy it because it looks like my kids will be performing for many years to come.
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