The Seed Within

The Seed Within

By John W. Vander Velden

 

We find ourselves surrounded by people with capabilities we envy.  Talented we are told.  Sometimes it is implied that the only thing that made them special was hard work.  I will not argue about the need for hours of effort, time spent training, learning, growing.  Time spent honing abilities to a greater, sharper, edge of performance.  But I will debate the word “only”.

As a farmer I could spend hours innumerable tilling and preparing soil, but if I do not place the seed in that soil, the work would be for naught.   So it is with every endeavor, it takes a seed to grow into something grand.  I would add that a gift required, a small seed of ability, perhaps special ability that with many hours of sacrifice and effort can be made into something amazing. 

 So you might never be a pro ball player, but that does not mean you have not been given a gift of another type.  For each of us has been endowed with a seed, a special seed.  Each of us needs to look within ourselves and find that seed…that unique gift…that has been given.  The seed that needs to be nurtured to grow into a special talent.  The seed that will demand the hours and effort to sprout and bloom.  To me that seed is more than just a talent, it is a gift I have been entrusted.  A gift given without my asking or consent.  It would be wrong to ignore such a wonderful endowment, to remain mediocre in all things when something special can be achieved. For each of us should do our very best to cultivate the seed within.

(278 Words)  3-3-2016