Want to learn how to discover your talents?
I was in my mid-twenties when I began to discover that I like to be creative. I would eventually learn that this desire to create was as necessary as breathing. If I didn’t have an outlet for my creativity, if I had no way to be creative, or if I was not creative for a while, I got crabby and irritated. Now I didn’t learn this fact about myself all at once, but slowly over the years, because life is like that and has a sense of humor.
Growing up I took piano lessons. I found that I enjoyed the lessons, but even more I enjoyed just sitting and playing the piano. Especially as a teen when I was full of emotions and angst. I would go play a loud, angry and melodramatic song in a minor key. Pound. Pound. Pound. After half an hour or so, I felt much better and was now playing happy, tinkly, flowing songs.
I learned to knit when I was 5, crochet at 6, and sew at 7. And somewhere during that time embroider. Another outlet for my creativity.
Half way through my teens I told my first funny story to a group of girl friends at cheer camp. Hearing them laugh exhilarated me. It would take years, though, before I was good at telling funny stories. And years before I realized I enjoyed telling funny stories.
I married and suddenly had no piano. I felt lost, like a part of me was missing. Then my creativity took another turn. I started writing. Cooking and drawing were also turned into creative projects.
Now if someone had asked if I was creative way back then, I probably would have said no. But now I look back and see a pattern. So many things I enjoy, that I do as a hobby or when I have free time, are all creative endeavors.
Telling funny stories, which I turned into a podcast, Life as it Comes. Designing and sewing curtains for the house. Writing. Reading. Planning trips. Cooking. Painting the house or furniture. Cross stitch. Making jewelry. Taking pictures. The list goes on and on.
I have this desire to be creative, to use my God given traits and abilities to create and change things, to make the world a better place. Being creative feeds my soul. Nourishes me and others. Brings joy.
To discover your talents and interests:
1. Ask questions.
What feeds your soul? Nourishes you? Makes your heart beat a little faster? What trait do you have that blesses others and the world?
2. Look at your past and current activities you enjoy.
Look at what you like to do, your hobbies, your gifts. Do you like to sky dive, paint china, teach, decorate, cook, design, travel, or sing. Make a list.
3. Don’t forget what you are learning.
Keep notes. Thoughts will come and go.
4. Ask more questions to discover new interests, ideas, talents.
Write down things you would like to do if you had the time, money, or had lessons.
5. Evaluate what you have learned.
Do you see a pattern? Do you like to invent things? Make things pretty? Organize things? Discover things? Create things? Help people?
6. Set aside some time to do the things you enjoy.
When we do the things that make our hearts sing, we are nurturing ourselves and taking care of ourselves. Which in turn make us happier and calmer and better able to face the daily pulls and demands of life.
Discover what makes your soul sing. Use it. Nurture it. Share it with others. Bless and inspire others. Multiply your talents.
Life is about attitude, so use it to your advantage. Use it for big things and small things. Use it to make boring and not so fun tasks more enjoyable.
I dislike cleaning bathrooms, but love the end result. One day I decided to think of ways I could make cleaning the bathrooms more creative. I can listen to a podcast or music. This brings out my creative side and stimulates future creative ideas while I am swirling a brush in the porcelain bowl. Sometimes I talk aloud and pretend I am giving a speech or telling a funny story to people.
There are all sorts of ideas and ways to do things. Harness what excites you and see if you can use it in other areas of your life.
Come on.
You can do it.
I know you can.
Join the Discussion: What feeds your soul? Makes you feel alive? What specific tasks, hobbies, or activities do you enjoy doing?
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I learned something by following the author’s recommendation and made a list. My pattern is to also be creative, but I learned that I love to be with others while we are all following our creative urges together. I spend quite a bit of time alone. I enjoy the comraderie and creativity that is sparked by togetherness. Another important point made by this author and writer.
Wow! Great insight about yourself, Colleen. Pretty nifty to know that crafting parties and classes ignite you!
Wow great story Theresa. I liked the cleaning bathrooms example, definitely got me thinking
Thanks. Sometimes you just need to have fun doing something you kinda dread! 🙂
Love and intimacy are my #1. Reading, growing, learning are my #2.
Thanks for sharing, Bliss.
When I used to grow flowers, I would love to cut & arrange them to surprise family & friends. Now I cover hangers for a creative outlet. It is fun to be creative!
It is fun to see how our activities change over time. I used to cross stitch and now it is knitting or other things.