52 Weeks of Impact

My ex-husband was (and likely still is) a very talented fellow. My oldest friend still reminds me that he could make milk Doritos come out of his nose. (Added Sept 11, 2010: Sorry, I’ve been corrected by my friend, it was Doritos, not milk)

But, (fortunately) he’s just one of many talented people I know. I’d like to share a few more …

• Several women I know have talents in crafts making magnificent wearable art from yarn, thread and fabrics, and greeting cards from recycled cards and paper. I’ve had the joy to wear, receive and send several of their creations.
• A close friend with an eye for all things beautiful, has designed and produced miniature books, created cards with rare and unusual papers, designed handbags from wood, silk cording and beads, is now learning to make jewelry. Recently she began delighting in and delighting others with her talent for writing — and doing a bit of it to benefit charities.
• Debbie E. has so many talents, if I didn’t adore her so much, I’d hate her. Amongst other things, she possesses a creativity that she makes tangible through her skills as a seamstress. The last time I saw her, she was completing an original “rag” doll for a physical therapist friend. The therapist planned to use the doll to illustrate physical therapy exercises for mothers of infants.
• Then there’s the buddy I played with in high school concert band who has toured through the U.S. and Europe with a sax quartet and now entertains audiences as part of several groups playing jazz, swing, blues, rock and classical.
• Vicky, a primary school friend, born with a paintbrush in hand, recently designed and created a cow scene mural on a shuttle bus in the community of Crested Butte, Colorado. Imagine seeing that bus pass in the morning — impossible to be in a bad mood. I’m tempted to go to Colorado just for the pleasure of riding it. She’s now using her talents on a project painting scenery for a musical production.

Having little talent in crafts or visual, musical or dramatic arts myself, I am in awe of those who do. The joy I imagine they get in creating and the Impact they have is so very obvious to me.

Others I know have different types of talents.

• Take my friend, Laurie, for example. She’s a natural organizer and networker and is currently using some of her talents in leading an international women’s organization in Vienna. She enjoys using her “skills and talents for the good of my community. And having fun (if not all of the time, often enough to make it, on balance, fun).”

• A fellow writer friend is not only a talented writer, but to me she’s a “guru” in many things internet and social media. But the real reason I enjoy following her is that she’s also a fellow animal lover. I’ll always think of her as the gal who trained to take in and raise orphaned squirrels (there is, indeed, a defined way of doing it so they can then be safely released back into the wild). She has recently combined her talents and love and is working as a web comm and social media manager with an animal welfare organization.

• And last, but never least, there’s my sister who I normally associate with intellectual and literary pursuits. She is “cultivating” a talent in her own suburban vegetable garden. She’s not only providing healthier and tastier produce for her family, but is lowering her negative impact on our environment by working toward sustainable gardening and, of course, there’s no transport or warehousing involved in getting her veggies to her table.

Amazing talents, amazing people. All who are making an Impact. And this doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the talents I know, have seen, and experienced. (apologies to all the many other people I know who are not included here for lack of space)

This week’s Impact effort

Each of us has talents, gifts and abilities that are uniquely ours. Do you know what yours are? Do you find opportunities to share your talents to make an Impact on others? If so, please share them with us. Don’t be shy.

This week Nils and I will be seeking ways to create Impact by using our personal  talents. We’ll report in later in the week.

p.s. – if you know of a children’s hospital that might be interested in a clowning guy who does tricks with corn snacksdairy, please let me know.