Seven Steps to Developing Any Talent

You can have any skill you want. Really, you can. But... the big but. You have to want it. You have to work at it. You have no idea where to start.

Learning something new can be broken down into a process and then the same process applied to anything you are interested in. And with the amount of knowledge available at your finger tips the only valid excuse you can have is that it not a priority for your time.

Here are 7 steps you can apply to any skill you want to develop.

The Struggle With Power and Beauty

Beauty is such a big topic of discussion in our culture. There are so many people out there, promoting ways to "look like your best self." Or to have a "flawless complexion" or whatever else is sought after. To be honest, I try not to pay attention. I really try.


But it seems to be nearly unavoidable for a woman in our culture not to become preoccupied with their appearance. From a young age, girls get the message that their worth is based on how pretty they are. The prince wouldn't fall in love at first sight with the princess if she wasn't the most beautiful one in the room.


We are told that sex sells. It isn't sex that sells. It is power.

Women are inundated constantly with what is considered the ideal, and always the message is that is where our power lies. Men have the power, and we gain some by having sexual appeal.

I hate this view of women.

I look at all the women around me, and I see power and beauty. Beyond simply their features, there is something there. Each of them have qualities that show in their expressions and mannerisms. I wouldn't change any of them. Not only that, but they have so much influence, and often they have no idea. It goes so far beyond how they look.

Yet I am stuck making the same mistake.

Singing Again

I started singing again last week. I suppose I started again a while ago. But I decided to earnestly begin to work my voice out and actually get better. I've been trying to make sure I sing for an hour every day, at least 20 minutes of that being time spent on exercises pushing my boundaries. I want to be able to have better range and tone then I ever have. Really, I don't think that will be difficult, since I don't think I have ever focused so specifically on working out my voice. At least, not since I was very young.

It is actually amazing to see my progress.  Already I can tell that my range, control and sound are improving.

I'm not sure why I stopped singing. I had several years where I hardly sang at all. At the time, I was in and out of depression. And I didn't feel as close to my husband either. I suppose I was self conscious. My voice was lost.

But now I have found it again. And I love it.

We'll just see how much everyone living with me can handle it...

Bedtime Confessions

Bedtime is often long for us. In the past it has been frustrating and felt menial. I just want the kids to go to sleep already!

But rarely is it a battle. They happily choose their stories and brush their teeth. The struggles usually only come when favourite nighties are in the dirty laundry.

And then I stay with my children until they fall asleep. Nearly every night. My husband will stay with them some nights, more often when he is working long hours because they miss him. But most of the time they ask me to.

My Why...

So my blog. Why? What is the point of doing this?

Well, I love to learn. I love to explore new areas of thought. At least, new for me. I look at all the information out there, the richness of expression that can be experienced and I can't help myself. I just want to soak it all up.

I guess I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and truth.  

Now because I have such a drive to learn a little about anything I can get my hands on, I have a ton of information to that is just sitting there. But I figure I can't be the only one like that out there. I can't be.

One more time

I am beginning again.... again.  So I know that is my continuing theme here.  I am always starting over. I have been constantly trying to have my fresh start, the one that will finally stick.  And my intentions are always sincere.  I always genuinely mean that I am going to make it a real habit.  But some how, this is always my most common post.  Can I say that this time I really mean it without it being a cliche, guaranteeing my failure?  I believe I can....

I think I can.... I think I can.

I think I can.

Ok so here goes.

Again.

A Beautiful Birth

"The birth buzz."  That's what Steve, my husband called it, when he looked at my face 20 minutes ago.  I can feel this quiet, but energetic excitement bubbling up from deep inside me, and it must showing on my face.  The awe inspiring feeling of watching and supporting the strength a mother has as she brings forward and welcomes into the world that miracle of miracles, her new child.  It's so much bigger then me.  And I think that I might be hooked.