Are you using it?

Your talents and gifts, I mean. I don't know why I thought of this but in the middle of things getting crazy and hectic, the gifts that I have haven't been necessarily been put to use. Sure, I use my writing talents while blogging and working on my children's book series BUT, it's not to it's fullest extent and I know it. I used to write poetry and music. I wrote short fiction and even entered some in contests. I journaled (not by computer but with an actual hardcopy) that I was quite faithful with.

I loved learning something new and for that reason, when html was fairly new on the scene, I learned the codes the "old school" way and designed web pages. I also hosted a Bible study forum, a homeschool forum and a mom's forum which was featured in ivillage....many years ago.

I painted wall murals and was featured for some of the murals that I've done, in my local newspaper. I also taught art and English at an alternative education school because not only did I enjoy it but I wanted the kids to love it just as much.

I used to be a sponge. I'd soak up new things daily. I taught myself to draw portraits, ASL, dog grooming and breeding and sewing. I coached gymnastics for awhile and even considered becoming a judge for USA gymnastics. I've done public speaking before large audiences and boy, was that a rush! I loved it!

I took voice lessons, dance lessons, taught an aerobics class and tutored and designed my own tutoring curriculum for kids with learning disabilities. I taught childbirth classes to pregnant teens and parenting classes as well.

I learned how to grow potatoes and how to make jam, cheesecake, sourdough bread.

I had a dream come true when I got my baby grand as a gift and have taught myself how to play.

Why am I telling you all of this???? Because in writing all of this down, I now realize that I've shoved so much of those gifts and abilities under the rug. Somewhere down the road, the gifts have taken a backseat to busyness. Fear has crept in in some areas, weight in other areas, lack of confidence = insecurities have taken root in other areas. Lack of motivation has caused me to back away from the things that I resembled who I was/am.

I've got to get back on track and to do this, I need accountability...a swift kick in the pants. So, now that I've spilled it all here, I'm asking you to please hold me accountable to embracing those things that once meant so much to me. If anyone can do it, I know you all can.

I now pass the torch off to you.....Are you using your talents and abilities? If no, why not? If yes, what are they and what keeps you going in using them?