TALENT

What really is talent? Can a person with a melodious voice be described as talented? Surely not until an audience appreciates his singing! When we speak about somebody’s talent we are obviously talking about a proven performance, not about a latent quality. And hence technique and temperament will determine what can be certified as talent.

Among young children, it is easy to notice an instinctive flair for singing, drawing, story-telling and dancing. With inspirational nurturing, natural flairs can be developed into skills. But competitive comparisons with the performances of other children often results in a lack of belief. And hence adults often declare that they cannot sing or draw or dance!

John W Gardner wrote, 'There are those who perform great deeds and those that make it possible for others to perform great deeds. There are pathfinders and path preservers. There are those who nurture and those who inspire. There are those whose excellence involves doing something well and those whose excellence lies in being the kind of people they are, lies in their kindness or honesty or courage.'

Earlier 'talent' referred to expertise or achievement of a pre-determined objective. Today 'talent' denotes broader nuances of leadership potential, abilities to straddle varied functional areas, cultures and geographic boundaries - all in a seamless manner. Real talent needs the development of soft skills, values, the ability to work in teams, to think out of the box, and importantly, the willingness to learn and share.

Each of us are owners to many a talent

Let’s be better at developing the latent!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

GREAT DAY

One of the best lines of wishes that I picked up from my favourite teacher, Fr Gatti was, ‘Have a great day!’ Before I met him the best wish that I heard was ‘have a good day’. Instinctively to me it was akin to a hopeful wish that only good things should happen. However, Fr Gatti’s wish resonated with resolve and inspiration to make the day great.

So how does one make a great day? It is pertinent to learn the lessons from little children. Babies can gleefully play with empty boxes and other trivia. For them, the sights of a bright flower or a chirpy bird or a gushing stream or a splendid rainbow are all triggers of great joy. A day of play with friends and family, whether outdoors or indoors, are occasions for certifying it to be a great day.

Surely, we were the same when young. Yet so often, we adults wait for our ‘great days’ without realizing that the day that went by and that the day that comes will be great days only if we look upon them as such. We tend to set too many criteria for happiness: ‘when I get this’, ‘when I have more money’, ‘when I have a better house, better furniture, so on and so forth’ and we forget to live every day, enjoying today.

We should be more like children who truly live in the moment! As we get older, we distance ourselves from the approach of enjoying each and every day. We must retain our child like attitude of living each moment to its fullest and making a better and greater day! We need to realise that more important than money and material are the valuable moments of time invested in enjoying simple pleasures.

Learn from the child, life’s little joys seem to say

Let’s BE BETTER at making possible a great day!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

TURBULENCE

‘Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors’ - African proverb

The test of the skill of a sailor is his ability to manage the challenges of a rough sea. And the biggest challenge of them all is in the mind. Will self-doubts overcome belief? Will wild winds blow holes in our purpose? Will the bumpy waves drown down perseverance?

Surely the strongest trait of character lies in the value of perseverance. The dictionary explains perseverance as steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief or a purpose. Yet, so often we are derailed by the changing tracks of chaotic challenges. So often, our craving for peace results in running way from turmoil. We choose to play blind, deaf, mute and lame to the unrest in the circumstances.

Craving for selfish peace in the midst of turmoil is akin to sterile thinking. It will never enhance your acquired skills. On the other hand, the biggest achievements in arts, science, and also in our history, are the outcome of turbulent thoughts taken head-on by resolute minds. Those who can literally ride the rough seas are the ones who will be better at developing their abilities and actualise their potential.

Come on now; do not sing the loser’s song,

Let’s be better at taking turbulence head-on!

- Pravin K. Sabnis