Little Thoughts - leadership, excellence, talents and keeping up with whomever

Today at church we had a great lesson. The instructor didn't actually teach it, but the value of her lesson came by the people she involved in the discussion. She identified five women beforehand that had an impact in her life in some way. She asked each of these women to talk about one of their talents and center it around three questions:

• when they discovered it
• how they developed it, and
• how they use it to bless others.

I was surprised at some of the talents they shared since I don't know some of them that well and didn't suspect some of their talents by looking at them. I will admit to having a moment where I wish that I had a chance to develop more talents and share them. You know - that moment where you kind of wish someone knew you could do something? But, then you think about it and wonder "am I really that good at any one thing?"

But, I changed my thoughts mid-thought. Really, I want to focus on finding out others talents right now. There is a certain happiness in it and I don't feel so selfish in the process.

On another note - leadership positions.

When I was a teenager I was in a lot of leadership positions at church. As I went off to college, I continued to hold leadership positions at church and continued to do so into my early 30s. I never thought anything of it.

However, in my early 30s, I started taking on more leadership responsibilities at work and saw a change in the responsibilities I had at church. Instead of being in RS, YW and Primary presidencies, I'd be asked to play the piano, teach primary, family history consultant (now), and primary chorister.

Nothing wrong with it because I've grown in specific areas.

But, I don't get exposed to some of the great leadership trainings I used to be a part of, and don't meet and work with some of the leaders that I'd get to collaborate with in the past.

Today someone announced how they'd been able to meet up with a church leader yesterday by mere fact that they were in a certain leadership position at this particular time. A little part of my heart, I admit, was a little jealous.

Am I not spending my time on the right things in life? Am I not intended to help lead anything at church anymore?

Hmmmm. Deep thoughts.

And, I know the answer.

The last couple of years I have learned about "the one." Instead of being able to lead the masses (small though the masses may be), I'm learning how to silently help the one and ...stick with that one for a very long time. It is difficult for me, whereas someone else may come by it naturally.

Which brings me to comparing...

Why do we feel the need to compare ourselves to others? In some ways, I guess, it is important to compare. It helps us gage where we are at and where we could be. But, in other ways it is dangerous. I live in an area where the people around me live in homes that are all over $600,000 and ...most likely have other homes in other places that are even nicer. They do well. They do not have a need for certain things. And, they are successful with their families, talents, and work.

This can be overwhelming when I compare (as I did for a minute tonight), but this minute shall pass...

I am reminded of a quest I had years ago to learn about excellence - about being excellent, about striving for excellence and about instilling it in others.

I need to return to that quest now that my life is starting to fall into place in different areas.

It isn't where we are, but were we are going. And, as my Dad says "and what direction you are pointing."

Today, I am going to do an about face and focus on making me better and helping others improve their lives. I have a feeling that all the others worries will fall into place or ....drop out of my life. Yes, I'm copying that comment from President Ezra T. Benson.

Anyway, here's to the ability to change, to improve and to repent upon the past.

Perhaps I'll discover and develop a new talent along the way...