Working Artist Initiative::Honoring Your Talent

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." ~Henry Van Dyke

This week for the Working Artist Initiative (WAI) our focus readings were largely selections from the Bible with the theme 'God As Artist.'

I found these readings to be a struggle.

Not that I don't believe in the Bible. But more that I am not someone who reads it. And although I do attend church regularly and participate quite a lot {I am a cantor and my ministry comes forth in song} I have never been one to study scripture much.

So, this was a challenge for me.

The readings this week covered creation, law, poetry, parable, ritual and drama. And it was up to us to discuss the common thread and extract some sense from them.

The one reading that I identified most with was the parable. Storytelling is a rare sort of art. Wrangling words into stories where the listener or reader can find themselves and extract a bit of truth is definitely a gift. Jesus had that sort of gift and he used that to great effect in his life.

Here is the gist of The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30):

The Master went on a journey, but before leaving he entrusted his three servants with his property. To one he gave five talents of money, to the second two talents and to the last he gave one talent, each according to his ability.

The first servant took his five talents and went out and doubled the money. The second servant did the same. The third servant buried his talent in the ground.

When the Master returned home he called them forward for an accounting of the talents with which he entrusted each. The first and second servants each came forward to show they they doubled the talents they were given. The Master was very pleased with their efforts and praised them, giving them more responsibility than before.

The servant who hid his talent was called forward. He said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

The Master called him wicked and lazy, told him he should have invested this talent wiser and eventually took what little talent he had away from him, giving it to the servant with 10 talents before throwing him out 'with weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

* * * * *

For the record, I found out that a 'talent' is a unit of money worth more than a thousand dollars. I find it intriguing that the meaning of that word as we use it can easily be substituted here. Talents can be worth a lot of money. Take your pick for whatever meaning you choose.

The Master entrusted the servants with the talents according to their ability. Not everyone had the same opportunity, but the message is clear that all of them have talents. Now it is up to them to use them wisely.

The first and second servants increased their talents by expanding on them. They weren't content to sit idly by and watch them go to waste. They actively pursued ways to make the most of what talents they had. They were each handsomely rewarded, with more talents and more responsibility, for their efforts.

The one who hid his talent in the ground out of fear and spite was not rewarded. It may seem harsh to have the weeping and gnashing of teeth, but I don't see that as from the Master. I think that this last servant likely had regret for the things he lacked the courage to do. There is nothing worse.

Here is what I took from this reading: We have to use our talents to the best of our ability. With great power, comes great responsibility. We can work at our talents, find ways to make them grow and develop, or we can push them away and pretend that they don't exist.

I firmly believe that we are all talented in our own way. There is no, "You are so much more creative than I am," or "I could never be as talented as you!" That seems to me the saddest thing to say. And it is filled with negativity and lack of confidence.

Sure, I see things that someone has done and covet the knowledge to do that exact thing, to have success in the same area. But that is not going to make it my talent. Trying to capitalize on another person's talent does nothing to honor that which is within me. So I can be inspired and influenced by another without trying to snatch their talent. I have to be still and listen to my heart to find that talent that is mine alone. And I have a responsibility to share it with the world.

People sometimes ask me where I went to school, what training I have to do what I do. I smile and say that I have a G.G.A. {God Given Ability... and I am not afraid to use it!} I didn't need to go to school to hone my creativity. That may have helped set me on a path sooner than the 40 odd years I have behind me now, but it wasn't necessary for me to recognize, develop and celebrate it.

I firmly believe that we are creative beings by nature. To stifle our creativity, our talent, to hide it is to turn away from our true nature, to turn away from whatever Higher Power you believe in. And a big part of hiding it is not believing in it, lacking the confidence in your own ability to create. Yes, someone may not have the same talent that I do, but that doesn't mean they are any less creative. Creativity is a life-force that runs through us all. The key is not in comparing what you have to someone else, but to relish what you have and to use it to grow your talents to the best of your ability. Even if you never create a masterpiece or sell a million dollars or achieve instant name recognition - and so many other external signposts of success, you risk so much more by not honoring the talent that is within you. If you neglect to listen to your heart to tell you where your unique talents lie in favor of comparing yourself to someone, or worse yet letting fear get in the way of finding YOUR truth, you risk losing it all.

The truth is that wherever your particular talents lie, only YOU can get started with it, and you shouldn't wait... for the right time or the right material or the right inspiration. That time may never come, and you will have squandered your talent out of fear of failure.

And I, for one, am trying to live a creative life and a life without regrets. Tall order. But it is my responsibility to honor that within myself.

As my father routinely says, "Life is not a dress rehearsal." {Thanks Dad! I finally get it.}

Start today. Do something with what you have, where you are. Make a difference. Create that which only YOU can create guided by the knowledge that you are a creative being who is being called to live a creative life.

Curious to know what did I do this week on my plan?

• Played with resin
• Investigated other options for materials, techniques
  
• Purchased and read a tutorial, still trying to digest that
  
• Decided that I need more time to fully create my prototypes so I will not rush into anything just to be ready for next week's show
  
• Had my first WAI critique on Monday night to assess where I am and where I am going

So... tell me what you think about this reading?

• What can we, as artists, learn from God as Artist?
• What talents do you feel called to share? What talents are you hiding?
• What is holding you back from reaching your full potential?
• Are there people you know who have been entrusted with a greater responsibility of talent? How are they honoring that?
• Are there people in your life who are not rising to the challenge of their talent? What can we do to encourage their talent?

Do tell!

P.S. I hope I didn't come off as too preachy. These were just the readings of the week and I wanted to honor my commitment to you to chronicle the WAI through this forum. Thank you for allowing me to do that.

Enjoy the day!