Pursue Your Talents: Give Your Gifts A Chance

Your talent may well be your calling. Open your gift(s) as if it is a present under the Christmas Tree. 

Have you ever wanted to do something so badly but there were forces that repelled you from pursuing it? Forces like parental or peer influences, societal views, ego, personal reasons, inspiration, motivation, resources or even guidance.

Have you ever heard: 

"I wish I could _____ like you!" 

"If I could _____ like you, I would..." 

"You're so good at _____ !"

"Man, you're lucky!"

"Don't you know how to _____?"

"You should be _____, instead of..."

Are you resting on a skill that others would like to have? Or even - love to have! Or, often hate that you have. 

If you can attest to any of the above, you are not the only one!  

I have always had an appreciation and a passion for writing, speaking, creative freedom & processes and being in front of people. For some time, I only productively exercised those abilities when necessary other than that - they were resting in dormant city.  

Speaking My Gift Into Existence

In late 2009, I was asked by a classmate, who was in graduate school, to participate in an Oratorical Contest that the National Black Law Students Association chapter was hosting on campus. Initially, I was shocked because he saw something in me. Second, I was ecstatic to receive the invitation; not only to be in the contest but an invitation to enter the dwellings of the prestigious NC Central's Law School. On top of those emotions, it was on a topic I had very little knowledge of - The Census! 

I thought to myself, what the freak! No chance. This is your first oratorical contest, you will be competing against students with experience. Above all, Rasheed what do you know about The Census?!

I beat myself up! But, on the other side of the coin - I liked my odds. I decided to do it!

Following my decision, I watched Barack Obama speeches on YouTube, dug into my memory to recollect some lessons from my public speaking course, received advice from my step-mother (a public speaking instructor/guru), and collected all of the credible information I could find on the topic. 

The night before game day I put all the pieces of my speech together, picked out my [superstitiously] lucky, yellow tie, and went to sleep. 

Throughout the day, until game time, I would occasionally lock myself in the single restroom in the School of Business to recite my speech, practice looking up, highlight important points, establish good posture, insert crowd participatory instructions (i.e. raise your hands if...). 

It's now game time! A total of six contestants! Nervousness set in, confidence chewed away every time I heard a good speech. Sweat bursting under my arms (good thing I didn't have to remove my jacket), motivation deflated. Maybe, this speech is not good enough.  

A lesson learned from my high school years in band, the band director instilled in us to not worry about what other bands were doing. Maintain Identity & Sustain Confidence. Practice hard and be the best at performing the show you practiced. The drumline taught me to not let others disrupt my focus, never look nervous, keep your chin up and walk and perform with swag and confidence.  

My turn... As I made my way to the podium, I glanced at my conservative cheerleader (my mother),  and waited for my cue by the judges.  Bumpy road, 45 seconds before the end of my speech my confidence arrived, self-assurance appeared and I walked from the podium with swagger. 

Results 

3rd place...., 2nd place...., 1st place, nervousness took over, pointing out the mistakes in my head and under the pressure, I knew exactly who the winner was - the man beside me. 

1st place.... Rasheed Brown. 

Nervousness released. Surprised, but not surprised. Elated and appreciative, but kept my composure. I shook the hands of the other contestants while, internally, my emotions were celebrating the Forth of July - fireworks everywhere. At the end, I asked the judges what could I improve and thanked my mom for coming. 

Lesson Learned

I suffered the pressure from self-criticism, self-skepticism, personal reasons (excuses), lack of motivation and nervousness. But, there are two things you can do under pressure - Make Diamonds or Fold. I decided to give my gift at writing a chance, my gift at public speaking and creativity a chance. From that - I made a diamond. 

Lastly, realize the only thing that kept me from totally believing in myself was ME. I was my only obstacle and barrier.

That victory was a big wake up call. A call that awoke my sleeping dreams, confidence, trust and belief in my abilities. I identified that I should dig there for most of my motivation and drive! 

Muhammad Ali stated:

Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them A desire, a dream, a vision. 

They have to have last-minute stamina, 

they have to be a little faster, 

they have to have the skill and the will. 

But the will must be stronger than the skill.

Your talent may well be your calling. Open your gift(s) as if it is a present under the Christmas Tree. 

This is a scribe of my thoughts that will otherwise be trapped in the mirror, washed away, or flushed. And at times - cleaned. 


Bathroom Therapy... The Clean, The Bad, and The Dirty.