Clev Talent

I have decided that I am a talented individual.

For many years, I thought that recognizing my talents was a prideful thing. I was not entirely wrong. You can abuse it. However, I have come to realize that it is okay to appreciate your talents. Thus, I am on a quest to recognize and develop them.

For the longest time, I have been a computer guy. The only talent that I openly recognized was my talent for programming. I felt that such was okay because it was not a talent desired or even admired by very many people, so it was not something to compare. However, in the back of my mind, I have always known that I have a myriad of talents that I have briefly delved into at one time or another. They are:

1. Art
2. Writing
3. Music

My sisters (twins) are incredible artists, but initially, I was the artsy big brother that gave them pointers. I was the artist in my class in elementary school. Everyone assumed that was the direction I was going to take. It was what I did on a daily basis. One day, I stopped and never went back. I wish I had not.

I have always always had a way with words. When I take an essay seriously, it becomes an enjoyable experience, and I usually get an A. I took a creative writing course, and loved it. I was so proud of what I wrote. For some reason, unlike my sisters, I admire my own work and love to read through it again and again. It just feels so good.

Music is one that I discovered only two years ago. When I was in sixth grade, I played the baritone and my mom told me I was musically inclined. I did not believe her for a minute. Moms always think you are great even when you are not, so sometimes you have to take their compliments with a grain of salt. I stopped playing soon thereafter. I never imagined myself as musical. I only wanted to play the baritone because it was big and I thought that was cool. However, two years ago, I bought a ukulele, and I have been in love ever since. I will come right out and say it. I am a decent uke player. I am learning While My Guitar Gently Weeps, which is a Beatles cover by Jake Shimabukuro. If you have not heard it, look it up on youtube. It is amazing.

Yesterday, I started a daily routine. I went to a private room with a piano in it, and practiced my talents. I:

1. sang
2. played ukulele
3. learned part of a song on piano
4. drew some pictures (line drawing is my favorite art form, so that is what I do).

I took a voice class three years ago and I remember a little bit. I am trying to reapply what I learned. I sound pretty bad, but I figure that twenty minutes a day will solve that problem. It did with the ukulele. Well, I actually played for much more than twenty minutes a day.

As for piano, I have never learned piano before. I think people have tried to teach me on occasion, but each time never lasted more than five minutes because I was lost. However, I learned music theory as I learned the ukulele, so I have a headstart. I can read music. and my fingers are coordinated now, which is huge. Plus, I have faith in myself now. I am excited. It is fun.

I still have some drawing skill left over from my artsy past, so I am working off of that. It is satisfying.

So, there you have it. I am going to post my progress and my thoughts as I go. Thanks for reading,

clevceo