The Hidden Talent Within

From those hallowed lecture halls of so long ago I have always remembered those words Professor Franklin spoke "Every human being is born with a God given gift. A talent, yours to find it and yours to use it for the betterment of yourself and for the betterment of others." What Professor Franklin said resonates more clearly now as I have gotten older and maybe a tad wiser. I have always tried to exemplify what those words meant. Most times succeeded and there were times I did not. But through-out my entire life I have tried to remain true to myself. My parents disowned me because of it. Undaunted, I became a self reliant man. Independent, but always searching for love, finding love, loosing love, only to find love again.

Mellowing now in my later years after a life of athletic accomplishments and a career that touched so many lives. The memories I have, the memories I created now come together like a montage of pictures flowing ever so slowly through my conscious thoughts. A kaleidoscope of precious moments lingering on that seem to jump out and jolt me back to a different time and place.

To rejoice in simplicity, free form want with a burning desire for greater fulfillment is the life I charter now. But, all too often the simplest things are shrouded over by the complexities others have created. A very sad reality of our modern world. There are dangers aplenty around every curve. The world continues to burn with injustices, hate and scorn. When every news cast highlights the Viking creed " Rape, Pillage and Plunder" on every TV screen is a constant reminder humanity has a lot left to learn. Now, I so often retreat to those memories of long ago. Where the innocence of boy meets girl harmonized the adventures we all shared. Recounting many a mishap along the way only reinforces the memories I now hold dear.

With each new dawn hope should rise along with the sun. For millions the world over that hope never rises along with the sun. Clouds of anguish and despair continues the forecast that the tears of humanity will fall after all. We should continue to question the judgement of some leaders today. It seems they really can't grasp the concept of benevolence or a compassion toward those less fortunate. All to often they continue to look the other way. For convince and apathy have replaced the values of genuine concern for the betterment of us all. Selfish desires continue to display wanton destruction all over the world.

It is closer to home that makes it more acute. Our leaders of state openly display a reluctance to remedy the crisis afflicting so many. This takes me back to what the Professor once said. Wondering, could it be that twisted concepts have been realized? Could it be also that the selfish desires of a few continue to perpetuate the desolation and depravation of the masses? Has the original concept been morphed into a Frankenstein of emotions where actions demoralize a society?

Perplexing as it is, it really isn't that hard to comprehend using our God given talent for the betterment of mankind has to be the direction humanity takes. But it continues to be that the realization of that talent lies dormant, un awakened, most often unused. A host of contingencies continues to thwart the nurturing of hidden talents within us all. Sure, there are few that come along with talents so rare. But, all too often so many have yet to find that one spark that will ignite that burning desire. A talent that is just so rare or one that continues from generation to the next is lost in the struggle many find most impossible to overcome.

Just think of a world where everyone will realize their talent. Where the application of the words of what Professor Franklin was talking about when he said ["Everyone no matter their stature in life has something important to say, write, or draw that would changed the world for the better. All it takes is for the rest of us is to listen, read and see, for just may be that one thing they have written or said really will actually make the world that much better."] are adhered to. This instead of the way things are now. A system and society that is focused mainly on selfish desires. Where Liberty, Justice, Education and Morality have been left behind. Where public officials throw out policy decisions that only exasperate current crisis. All this because of the failure to fully understand and apply the meaning of what Professor Franklin was trying to convey.