A group of individuals with unique talents can fuse to create a much stronger team.
As adults, my three nephews make beautiful music together, but that hasn’t always been the case. When they were pre-teens, their mother insisted they each take piano lessons for at least three years. As with most siblings, each brother pursued other individual interests, and only the oldest continued to study the instrument after the required three years. Jealousy and frustration sometimes dominated their adolescent years. Musical, athletic, and intellectual gifts often fought against each other. However, today these three brothers have honed their individual gifts and learned to work together. A tenor, a baritone, and a bass can create a harmonious sound that cannot be created alone.
Today’s society is divided over many issues. A student recently wrote to an advice columnist about the unfairness of another student getting all As without studying while he had to study hard to receive Cs. The columnist replied that the student should work as hard as he could and realize his other non-academic gifts. He also asked who would plow the fields if everyone became rocket scientists. And if everyone sold real estate, who would design clothes?
Paul says we all have unique gifts. When I think of a Downs Syndrome child or a handicapped individual with a positive attitude, I am inspired to complain less about what I can’t do and focus more on what I can do. Instead of opposing people who are different, we should find common ground in our diversity.
Even though my nephews have all pursued different interests, they continue to enjoy music. They still thank their wise mother for insisting on those early years of piano lessons. Family holidays are always enhanced with music. The piano, keyboard, bass guitar, and the acoustic guitar join together with a percussion box and a violin to create a symphony of diverse talents that have learned to blend together in harmony.
Think about ways you can harmonize with others in your home, workplace, community, and world. Allow your unique gifts to work with the unique gifts of those around you.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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After teaching high school English for over thirty years, Joyce McCullough now spends her time writing children’s books. She also enjoys tutoring, teaching piano lessons, teaching Sunday school, and doing volunteer work. She has written for numerous faith-based publications including Alive, The Cumberland Presbyterian, The Missionary Messenger, and Focus on the Family’s Early Stages. She has received numerous awards and recognition both as a writer and as an educator. For more information, visit her website, The Literary Lyonesse, at joycemccullough.com.