"Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood."
Published on June 4, 2006 By Sally jacobs In Misc
I'm talentless. This isn't me looking for a pity vote, or feeling sorry for myself. This my friends is a harsh reality. There is nothing I shine at. There is nothing I have a natural ability in. That I can see myself doing, and I know that I'm good at it. I'm decidedly average at most things, and really bad at a few. You would think that there was at least one thing I was good at, or one thing that I showed natural ability in, but there really isn't. I do consider myself to be average, and I really don't have a problem with that. I could be alot worse. I just wish there was something that I was good at, or something that I knew I fit into. I walk the cyber halls of JU, and I see people who know alot about certain subjects, like computers. I know nothing. I see people who know about politics, and who can voice their opinions extremely well. I can to an extent. There are just all kinds of topics I see, and I don't have a clue about them, or my knowledge of said topic is limited, or I don't have any talent in said topic.

Now there is that age old argument, that if you dedicate yourself to something you can achieve anything. To an extent this is true, but I am sorry nothing beats a natural ability in something, you can spot it a mile off. Learning something, in my opinion, can only take you so far. Like I could learn a musical instrument, but would it still be obvious to all that listened that I was tone deaf? That is highly likely, considering I don't have a musical bone in my body. So I could learn it, enjoy playing it, but that's not guaranteed that I will be actually good at it. For the record, I'm not, I suck. Writing is another example. Anybody can write. You see it everyday, people with different levels of ability. Nothing can take away from natural ability. People who are just that bit above the rest. Who are effortless, and just write their words on the page, and they turn into poetry right in front of you. That can't be taught, that is just natural ability. That's what I don't have.

I would really love to know what I am good at, but as the days go on, and I get older, I'm starting to think maybe I don't know for a reason. Because I'm not actually good at anything. That sounds like I'm really feeling sorry for myself, and I'm not. It's not like I'm useless, I know that. I can do lots of things, and do a good job at most of them. One thing about me is I'm determined. The things I do set my mind to, I like to achieve them, and be good at them. I hate letting myself down. So on the whole I don't. I just really want to shine. I want to do something, and for it to come naturally to me. For me to show natural ability. Obviously I will still have to work at it, them two things come hand in hand. You can just tell when someone is good at something though, can't you? When they know a great deal about a certain topic, or they can just turn their hand to something, and you know that's what their a master of. There are all kinds of things people are good at, things people shine at. I just wish I knew what my calling in life was. Maybe then I would be a little happier.

So JU, do you have any natural talents? What are you good at?

Comments
on Jun 04, 2006
My natural talent is scoring concert, sport, show tickets for free. Anything entertaining. I don't know if that is a talent, but that is what seems to come to me. I wrote about this in a wierd kind of way awhile ago. Here is the shameless plug. Link It is my intrepretation.

Also, my little 2 cents is this: What some people see is average, others see as great. It is all in the perspective.
Another thing. There is nothing wrong with average, that is what most people are.

I do believe you have a gift of writing. Don't sell yourself short.

on Jun 04, 2006
Diagnosing computer problems. Guess that is why I am in the Biz.
on Jun 04, 2006

I'm good a picking up a blade of grass, putting it between my thumbs,  and making it whistle by blowing into it!

I can float in water almost longer than anyone else.  Won 2nd prize for it when I was only 5,  and I would have won 1st except I heard some splashing and thought that the other girl had given up.

I'm good at picking the wrong man for myself.

 

on Jun 04, 2006
I'm good at moving furniture around and refinishing it.

And finding good bargains.
on Jun 04, 2006

I'm good at bargain hunting, especially where clothes are concerned.

I'm good at knitting.

I'm good at being with people who are dying and at looking after their families.

That's about it.

 

on Jun 04, 2006
Well, I'm good at procreating (!), and I'm good at trivia. I'm a good writer and public speaker, and a halfway decent singer (too old for American Idol, sorry!). That's pretty much it.
on Jun 04, 2006
I'm good at dealing with drunks and small children. And that's about it...
on Jun 04, 2006
I am an expert at procrastination. I was going to post this earlier but just got around to it
on Jun 04, 2006
Bugger, Mason stole my line...

I am pretty good at writing a tune, at playing guitar and arranging music. Other than that, I guess I'm also good at being a husband and a friend (at least I haven't had too many complaints so far).

I also have a capacity for remembering song lyrics while forgetting important stuff, like birthdays and anniversaries (thankfully, I have a diary with all the important dates in it and habitually check it to make sure I haven't missed a significant date).
on Jun 04, 2006
I am good at talking to kids. They just love me for some reason.

I am good at doing the ten second tidy before the daycare parents get to my house.

I am good at throwing a huge, spazzy, screaming hissy fit every now and again, all for my husband's benefit. He loves it - NOT!

I am good at talking to people. I never meet a stranger.

and hey Kelly I would love to have your talent. Should I make you a wishlist and see how you do? Rancid in July, Counting Crows in September...
on Jun 05, 2006
Erm, uhhh...ahhh...ummm...how 'bout I get back to you on that, say...once i find something?

Not sure really...

~L
on Jun 05, 2006
My natural talent is scoring concert, sport, show tickets for free. Anything entertaining. I don't know if that is a talent, but that is what seems to come to me


Ahh think that talent of yours will stretch over to England?? Hehe...

do believe you have a gift of writing. Don't sell yourself short.


Thanks, that's very nice of you to say.

Diagnosing computer problems. Guess that is why I am in the Biz


Computers just go right over my head. I can just about switch it on, and perform daily tasks. Anything else and I'm at a loss!

I'm good a picking up a blade of grass, putting it between my thumbs, and making it whistle by blowing into it!


Oh, I can touch my nose with my tongue, is that a talent???

I'm good at picking the wrong man for myself.


Ohhh, I know that feeling....

I'm good at moving furniture around and refinishing it.


I always envy people who have an eye for things like that. I really lack creativity in that area.

I'm good at being with people who are dying and at looking after their families.


That's something that really has my respect.....I know I couldn't do that.

and I'm good at trivia. I'm a good writer and public speaker, and a halfway decent singer (too old for American Idol, sorry!). That's pretty much it.


Hehe...I know you're a good writer. I love singing, but unfortunately singing does not love me! You're never too old for idol!

I'm good at dealing with drunks and small children. And that's about it...


Not at the same time I hope!

I am an expert at procrastination. I was going to post this earlier but just got around to it


Haha Mason....you're good at making me laugh!

I am pretty good at writing a tune, at playing guitar and arranging music. Other than that, I guess I'm also good at being a husband and a friend (at least I haven't had too many complaints so far).


I'm so jealous! How I would love to be able to write a tune and play it! That is something to be proud of!

am good at talking to kids. They just love me for some reason.


I was going to say I'm good with kids, but the only one I am good with is my niece, so maybe that doesn't count!

I am good at throwing a huge, spazzy, screaming hissy fit every now and again, all for my husband's benefit. He loves it - NOT!


At last something I have a talent at! Haha....

Erm, uhhh...ahhh...ummm...how 'bout I get back to you on that, say...once i find something?


Awww...same boat as me then!

Thanks for the comments, I always knew you were a talented bunch

on Jun 05, 2006
I've got an instinctive knack for technology, but it's not a talent I take advantage of very often. I also think very quickly, although not necessarily with much intelligence. So far those talents haven't exactly rocked my world.

I'm sure there's something you do really well. Everyone's got a talent. You could be the world's most talented blacksmith but born in the wrong century to take advantage of it. Who knows? You'll probably find it before you die anyway. Many people do.
on Jun 05, 2006
I'm a good cook, a decent dog trainer, a struggling poet, and I can play 5 musical instruments (piano, flute, guitar, saxophone, and fiddle, though I wouldnt say I was very good at any of them other than the fiddle.


I've read some of your poems, and I have to say I was extremely impressed. Poetry is something I just can't do. It's one of things I really try at too. It's just not something I can do.

I have a few erotic practices I've been told I do better than anyone else, hehe, and I've been told this by more than a few men in my life.


See part of me wants to ask what they are....but I won't haha!

Other than that, I pretty much suck. (


I also suck!

I've got an instinctive knack for technology, but it's not a talent I take advantage of very often. I also think very quickly, although not necessarily with much intelligence. So far those talents haven't exactly rocked my world.


I'm a quick thinker. I'm the same as you, these thoughts aren't always the most intelligent....

I'm sure there's something you do really well. Everyone's got a talent. You could be the world's most talented blacksmith but born in the wrong century to take advantage of it. Who knows? You'll probably find it before you die anyway. Many people do.


Knowing my luck I'll find out just before I die, and never be able to take advantage of them!

on Aug 15, 2006
Sally you are far from talentless! Stop putting yourelf down! Your blogs are really super reads (I am no expert on whats what but I believe you write very well). Look at how many read your blog on a daily basis - that alone should reassure you - they enjoy what you write and how you write it! AND you can touch your nose with your tongue too!

decent dog trainer
Little Whip - I have a mini yorkie pup who I am trying not to frighten when I teach it to go outside to pee or pooh - perhaps you could do a small blog on the best way to show her without scaring her? thanks the advice would be welcome.