Deep within each of us lies talents, abilities, and powers that go so far beyond anything we could begin to imagine. Too often in life we sell ourselves short thinking “I can’t” or “I am not capable of…” or “I am afraid to try in case I fail”.  We hide our true potential behind a mask of fear and insecurity, never coming to appreciate all that we are meant to be. We become our own worst stumbling blocks when it comes to discovering everything that we are truly capable of, and coming to recognize the slumbering God-given talents we actually possess.

If we would believe that is true, then have the curiosity to discover for ourselves what those talents might be, and then actually put them to use, we would have the power to accomplish things far beyond what we can imagine today.

I believe that is true with all my heart. I have seen it manifest in my own life time and time again. So much so that I often find myself wanting to grab others and yell “You have no idea how amazing you actually are!” followed by “So start figuring it out!”

There are powers inside of you which, if you could discover and use, would make of you everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could become.” – Orison Swett Marden

As you set out on the journey to figure out what greatness lies within you, keep in mind that talents come in all different shapes and sizes. Each of us have different talents, but we were given those differing talents for reasons. I believe that nothing happens by coincidence. I believe God had purpose in giving each of us exactly the talents that He did and as we develop them and use them we will begin to more clearly recognize what that reason was. So don’t let yourself fall into the trap of ranking which talent is better than someone else’s. There isn’t a rank to talent, they are different – not better or worse than.  Every talent matters equally, even if some talents aren’t as visibly seen. Sure talents in art or music are much easier to see and receive public praise, but they are no more important than the talent of being a good friend, or being a good organizer and such. Every talent matters.

“You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn’t have to be perfect… Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside…

As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

It is the combination of each of our individual talents that collectively improve the world around us. So my suggestion for today is that you get curious about the talents that lie within you that you still haven’t discovered. Try all kinds of new things that you never had the courage to try before. Give them a chance to come out of you. If you never try them you will never find out if they are there. And when you discover new talents, which I guarantee you will do, grow them until they shine like crazy! Just never stop looking for more of them to still be inside of you just waiting to be discovered…

~Amy