Our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses

Jack of all trades but master of none. First thing that comes to mind when I thought of strengths and weaknesses.

Our strengths are unique little gifts. That something special about you that makes you you… makes you unique and stands out from the rest of your qualities. Your talents… your passions. It’s that thing you experience when you flow… your time-has-stopped moment when engaged in something you enjoy.

You are also not perfect. There’re those things that you simply don’t enjoy. Like I’ll admit, I’m no guru where numbers are concerned and they certainly don’t make me tick. I have weaknesses.

I’m not sure if there’s some invisible rule that weaknesses are the most terrible things one can encounter cos for some reason – we often spend too much time focusing on weaknesses. “If only I could be more like that” or “If only I was good at….”. “So from today, I’ll spend 1 hour every day working on …..”. Following a painful week or two of forcing yourself to do something you don’t really enjoy. So with all this focusing on what we’re not that great at, is born the Jack of all trades… master of none.

If only… if only we used that time to work on those things we’re actually passionate about. Our natural talents that stand out and didn’t require any effort it seems. We’d not only feel happy and great… engaged in what we naturally enjoy, but also become the master of our talents. Possibly without noticing.

We all have strengths and weaknesses and kindly excuse the cliché, but that’s exactly why no man is an island. If there was no such thing or concept as perfection…. would you still try that hard to be perfect?

Yes we should strive to live a balanced life which is why weaknesses are not to be ignored totally. Yet ignoring a strength in lieu of a weakness could be far more costly to that master in you.

(Pic: http://www.gurustump.com/media/images/jack_of_all_trades_1200.gif)

Burning Passions

Have you ever had that feeling that whilst engaged in something, be it work or play, it feels like time has stopped? I’ve been told those are treasured moments as they indicate a true passion discovered... something that’s a part of who we truly are ... and not the exploration of someone else’s dream.

I discovered such a passion over 10 years ago… and like maybe the new car you bought….or new sport you’re involved in…. you only then start noticing things around you related to your new found joy. So- my time stopping moment is when I discovered and started playing djembe drums. Now - with over ten years of enjoying this passion- I often still notice many related aspects to djembe drumming. Be it a new master in town or just the various ways in which others too enjoy this activity.

Ever since I’ve started playing, I’ve noticed and love listening to Joe, Cape Town’s djembe busking legend, often found around St George’s Mall, Green Market Square or the Antique Market. Whenever I spot him, I stop in my tracks just to enjoy, witness and share in Joe’s time-spotting moment. Evident in his relentless exploration of his passion- during all this time, I’ve only ever spotted Joe playing around some café or walking around with what seems a natural extension of him… his djembe drum. These days, Joe can be seen with his guitar-clad friend as seen in the pic.

I think that exploring and unlocking our passions are important. When you do what you love doing, you find a special part of yourself and by sweeping you away, it’s as if nothing has the power to stop you. Also- when things are not going so great, it’s helpful to focus on those things you love. So, like Joe, when you find a little passion of your own, keep it burning. For in your passion you find the drive to pursue your very own dreams.


(Pic: by mwah)