Everyone has something they are great at. I’m not talking about the many things we master or even that we’re really good at. I’m talking about that hidden treasure that you just know, or even stumble across but when you do it’s like…magic.

Several years ago my husband surprised me with tickets to a Yanni concert. If you’ve never been to a live entertainment performance you must put it on your to do list before you kick the bucket. It’s incredible. There’s nothing quite like the energy rush and vitality that flows from the setting. I’ll never forget my husband leaning over to me and saying how incredible it was to watch someone do something they love and are really great at. He nailed it, and since that time I look for the people who have found, nourished and made the most of that spark in themselves.

Last week I finished reading “Three Weeks With My Brother” by Nicholas Sparks. He’s the author of “The Notebook”, “Message In a Bottle”, “The Guardian”, etc. I’ve seen the movie on The Notebook but never read one of his books until this one. It was a memoir and excellently written. I was drawn in so much more than I thought I would be and deeply moved by his story. He talked about how he stumbled on becoming a writer mostly by accident. It wasn’t something he’d pursued, but when he found it - or it found him - it was like…magic. And clearly he’s a natural. Like my uncle, who has been a gifted artist his entire life - never a single class, but clearly it flows from and with him. These natural gifts and abilities are what gives the edge to those who are the best at what they do.

See that’s the thing - natural. I’m living proof that anyone can take minimal skills, perhaps even levels of natural abilities or tendencies and develop them successfully with a little effort. Willpower, training and discipline can go a long way, but there is nothing that can replace the extra boost or spark of the natural gift. And here’s the thing for me - - I don’t know what mine is yet. I’m good at a lot of things I just don’t know what I’m a natural at - or what I’m naturally great at. My husband says it’s public speaking. I don’t know, I enjoy it but it doesn’t stand out any more than the other things I do and enjoy.

This week I started a cake decorating class with a friend. After the first lesson I can feel a repeated pattern emerge. This isn’t hard for me, and I’m fairly good at it without much effort. I could probably do very well if I wanted to pursue this type of hobby, get more training, practice, etc. perhaps even make it a successful business but I don’t have a drive for that and it doesn’t fit the parameters of discovering that magical greatness within.

So I keep at the things I enjoy. I keep trying and learning new things in hopes that sometime I might stumble upon that spark within myself. That I might find that natural ability that precedes all others. How about you? Have you found what your naturally great at yet?

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