I've never felt particularly good at anything. Ok, that's a really bad way to start a blog post, huh? Well, it's true. Throughout school I sucked at math. How about we not even talk about school--I disliked the whole experience. Eight years of piano lessons were cool, but I never thought counting was super important. Ummm, it is! When I had to learn Chinese to live in Taiwan for 18 months, I tried my hardest to speak the language, but in the end my tones didn't quite ring true. Trying to learn French made Chinese feel like a walk in the park, though. I am pretty good at cleaning so at least I can say I'm good at that.
But...
It wasn't until I started writing that I realized I'm good at something. The thing is I've stuck with this dream. That one point is why I feel like I'm talented at this skill. As for my piano lessons, if I would have been more dedicated to it, I may have excelled further. Did I? Nope.
That's when I feel becoming good, great, amazing at something happens--when you stick with it! Regardless of the struggles that go along with acquiring a skill, punching through them is where true excellence can occur. Over two years of writing, rewriting, revising, and throwing whole chapters away, I've realized I'm good at something. Also, I have a huge desire to continue to become better.
That's the thing, friends. In the past, I wasn't super dedicated to the things I participated in. For example, sports classes in school were hard because my coordination skills were (are) terrible. However, if I'd have put in a bit more effort, I may have been good at it. Oh, and yes, if my head wasn't a target for soccer, dodge, foot, basket, or baseballs, it could have been easier, too!
Getting to the point! I like, love, adore writing. It's something I never thought would be my career path. One in which I wouldn't change any of the challenges I've gone through along the way.
In short, I'm good at writing (at least I think so). :D
What are you good at? And what have you done to get there?
Writing. Jewels.
This was a great post to read Julia! "I've never felt particularly good at anything." I've felt the same many times and still do quite often.
ReplyDeleteLike you though I feel I am good at writing, and I am good also at organizing. I enjoy volunteering and helping out...and people compliment me on my patience and understanding so I guess I'm good at that. It is amazing how long it can sometimes take to realize you're good at something(s). We do tend to focus on what we're not good at though, don't we?
Mark - Indeed! We are our own worst critic. Super sad, huh? We all need to be more positive about who we are! That is great that you are patient. That is a virtue we all (me mostly) could use more of. I'm glad you are on top of that one.
DeleteThanks for your comment!
You are good at writing, Ms. King, so there's no need to continue that discussion ;-). But I think the ones who are good at something are the ones who keep trying to be better at it. That is why I enjoy this writers' community so much. I do like all the entertainment and humor here, but I love the passion to be better. The flash fiction exercises, NANO, picture prompt, everyone is always honing and toning. That's how I see "good", or as someone called it, "ends-of-the-earth type stuff." Now you'll have to read my book to see what I mean by that (plug...hee hee).
ReplyDeleteThanks, David. I try! If you don't try to perfect your craft, you're never gonna excel. And being a writer offers many outlets to communicate with lovely people. I'll have to read your book sometime. Ugh, I'm terrible. So little time! :) You know how it is?
DeleteThanks for the comment!
I took piano lessons too! From 3rd grade to sophomore year. I still have a piano in my house and play on occasion but I've forgotten a lot. I'd like to think I'm good at writing. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've forgotten a lot of my so-called piano skills. I feel sort of stupid cuz I stopped playing soon after I started playing classical music. I enjoyed that. Now, if I tried to play those things, I wouldn't be able to do anything with them. Sigh! But hey, maybe one day when I have more time, I'll pick it back up. :)
DeleteI'm like you in a lot of ways. I love Chocolate and dogs and don't feel like there are a lot of things I'm al that good at, probably because I didn't stick with them, but writing is one thing, I feel like I do fairly well, if not great yet, but I'm very dedicated to it and plan to keep at it.
ReplyDeleteYay for chocolate and dogs! I'm like you, I'm dedicated to writing and won't stop even after NYT Bestseller can be stated behind my name. That's my version of a PHD. haha
DeleteThanks for joining my bloggy friend! And double thanks for the comment! :)
I took piano lessons as a kid too and wasn't very good. I think it's mainly because I wasn't passionate about it so didn't practice very much. WIth writing, it's different. I feel like I'm good at it, and I really love it. So I'm willing to put in the worth to get better.
ReplyDeleteYep, you've gotta have the passion to actually excel at something. That's how I feel about writing, too.
DeleteThanks!
You're a babe, Julia... and you're great at soooo many things other than just writing! You're funny, beautiful,(Ha! Great at being beautiful, lol) entertaining, fun to hang out with, a fab friend, etc, etc, etc. Annnnnnd you're so much more than writing. If you stopped today we would all still be your friends. Writing is what you do, not who you are *winks* Annnnd cue cheesy moment...
ReplyDeleteYou are too sweet, Morgs. You are too validating to me. But I'll take it. You just made my day by those beautiful words. I love cheesy moments. I love having you as my friend. Neve want to loose that in my life. *hugs*
Delete