It’s been said that everyone has some hidden talent. I’m thinking mine has to be the champion at that, like hide and seek. I’ve yet to find that one thing I excel at. Oh, I enjoy a variety of personal entertainments like writing these blogs, poems and playing my guitar. If I have any talent regarding any of those, it is still hidden. I’m just not exceptional in any field I have explored so far in life. I’m nearly 73, so it had better happen soon. It isn’t anything that troubles me however, I’m doing alright.

When I was small I had an uncle that would call me the professor. That was because I wore glasses and had a habit of explaining things. I still have that habit, explaining things, but rarely does anyone appreciate that, in fact, it tends to cause a bit of friction. There are occasions when name calling is involved! That usually happens when the other person doesn’t like the explanation. It’s s strange thing, people really want you to agree with them, but they don’t want you to know the reason. What I mean is, when you tell them why they feel the way they do. It’s strange because some folks spend hundreds of dollars to have a “professional” do just that. They don’t want that for free though. Like I said, strange.

I have always been amused by the difference between a amateur and a professional. The only real difference is in getting paid to do whatever it is. One day I’m just a hobbyist, an amateur and the next day I’m hired, a professional. I remember when I was hired to be an upholsterer. I had zero experience in that trade. It was to be on the job training. It was great and when I went to deliver that furniture to the clients homes I was often asked for decorating advice. Well, I’m a professional after all. I always said something, either about the placement of the furniture or suggesting new blinds or curtains. Pretty funny stuff to me, I had no idea about any of that, still don’t.

I have written in the past about not having a hobby, that one thing that holds my interest. I’m interested, just a bit, in just about everything. I’m just not fixated on any one thing. I’m not a collector of anything in particular, an expert on anything. Whatever that may be, must be that hidden talent I haven’t found; yet. I’ll just keep on looking. I don’t think I will recognize that until it is validated by others. I’ve certainly seen many that do not require that at all, it being the only way I could explain their behaviors. They really believe in themselves! But I also think that outside validation can destroy the person. Get that swelled head you hear about and some just become jerks.

For me, the hardest part is accepting that outside validation. My thought is always, people are just being polite. Now if I started receiving some monetary reward for whatever it is that I’m doing, that might change my thinking on that. That hasn’t happened so far. The thing is, I’ve never asked for or expected any monetary compensation for anything other than what I contracted for. No one has ever just given me money because they like what I had to say. Maybe that is my hidden talent. Just my luck! Oh well, everyone has to do something.