April 11th, 2010 by rob white
I was watching a TV special on ‘deserts’ the other night. It explained how some deserts rarely get any rain in years, and yet when they do – dormant seeds, buried in the sand, come alive and sprout beautiful colored flowers. These seeds wait patiently for the opportunity to express themselves, and when that opportunity comes – they are ready!
I asked myself, “How long do I wait before I express something that is beautiful and new, something that is lying dormant inside of me? What opportunities have come and gone, and I fail to notice?”
Years ago, I met John. He is a professional pianist, and gives piano lessons on the side. I began taking piano lessons from him and enjoyed making up my own jazz riffs. I got pretty good at it. I didn’t know I had that in me.
A few years back I saw an ad – ‘begin cooking for yourself’. Evening classes were beginning at a local restaurant, given by the chef. I took the classes and began experimenting with new recipes (rather than my standards), at home. I became a pretty good cook. I didn’t know that this talent was lying dormant inside of me.
What newness might be waiting to express through you? What opportunities have you allowed to pass by; opportunities that invited you to try something new and discover hidden talent lying dormant in you?
I discovered that I’m a darn good golfer (if I do say so myself). A couple years back I wanted to start an activity that I could do with family and friends and Golf was a natural fit. I took a few lessons and in no time I was keeping pace with people who had been at it for years and years. Now I have to remind myself to get out there more
I’ve always been a good cook but I was surprised to discover I’m one helluva good ditch digger.
I discovered a newness waiting to express through me when I took up chess last year. I love it, and I am real good at the game of chess already!
Hi Rob,
This is a great question! Although I can’t think of an answer right now, I’m definitely going to keep an open mind about things I might be good at that I’m not pursuing now.
“What might I be good at, that I am not pursuing?” Ask this question, Greg, and the answer will come to you – an opportunity shall arise. The 90 Day Mind Adventure assures you of that. Good reply.
I’m learning to become a better business man, like you rob. I see now that Picasso was a marketeer. Successful artists are successful business people.
Buy my art! Buy my art! Buy my art! Buy my art! Buy my art!
Ok, Nick. How do I buy your art?
Oh Boy! A live one. Go to my blog and see if anything strikes you: http://www.artistnick.com.
You can contact me through there if you find something you like.
A dormant seed that sprout through me last year is bowling. In one year I am a team champ! The opportnity came along to go bowling and I laughed. Now I love it.
I can’t wait to see what’s next (cooking inside of me). Last year I bumped into someone who talked me into scuba diving. What a thrill!
I only recently discovered that I am good with kids. For the longest time kids scared the heck out of me. Then one weekend my brother had to have me babysit his 8 & 10 year old girls and I was surprised by how much fun we had. Now I am “Cool Uncle Rus.” I wish I didnt wait so long to discover this.
Wow, Rus, that’s a great one. So rewarding for you and great for everyone concerned.
Rob – great post and great question. In the last few years, I’ve learned how to coach and mentor others, how to ski, improv comedy and developed my writing. I love trying new things and along the way, I found my vocation (helping others to make the most of life).
Phil
That is great Phil, When you help others make the most of their lives, you help YOU make the most of your life. That is how life works. good job!
I picked up skiing again 5 years ago. I had skied when I was young and It never occurred to me that it was a possibility again — That is until my son started snowboarding. I gave it try again and it was like riding a bike. Maybe I’ll give improv a try too, although that scares me A LOT more.
We will never know what we are capable of unless we try something new. In my case, I bought a keyboard piano more than a month ago because I want to learn to play it. At first I can’t seem to move both my fingers on the keys, but know I can play a whole tune. Never in my life I had thought that I can play the piano. From this experience I have learned that I can do anything if I allow myself to do it.
Hold onto that thought, Walter: “I can do anythning if I allow myself to.” That one thought, right there, will inspire you day in and day out!
MY DESSERT FLOWERS ARE BOCCI BALL AND TENNIS. I AM A CHAMP AT BOTH, AND ONLY TWO YEARS AGO I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT EITHER.
Great question, rob. I have always thought I’d be a good singer but never tried. I think I will try some Kereokee to get it out… but I’m still scared.
It’s funny. You ask what is cooking inside of me – Blueberry Muffins! I make the best in the world. There was a time when I burnt everything.
What else is cooking inside of you, Kindred? I love blueberry muffins!
What is cooking inside of me right now is a pressure cooker – my enthusiasm is steaming up. I can feel something great is about to occur in my life!
Hey Rob,
Cool question! My most recent thing that is “cooking” inside me is that I’m going to take a hula hooping class. I know I’ll look like a silly fool, but I don’t care. I know it’s going to be a blast! My friends Heather and Lisa are going with me and we’re gonna rock ‘n roll!
They do such cool things with hula hooping now, glow in the dark colors, several smaller hoops you can circle around your arms. I’ve seen people do AMAZING things with them – who woulda’ thunk it!
It’s a big step up from my childhood dream. When I was very young I wanted to be an elevator operator! I went into a department store with my mom and there was a little stool you could swivel up and down on.
The elevator operator got to sit on the stool. I thought that was pretty neat and my career path opened up to me in that moment.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Love your site!
Lauren
I love your spirit, Lauren …. it is very apparent in how you look at life. You are a gift to the evolution of humanity – you think outside the usual collection of thoughts that can ensnare us. Thanks!
the fertile seed that is lying dormant inside of me has not revealed itself, yet. I think I get too caught up in life to notice the opportunities to water that seed. Great tip to think about.
Gosh this article speaks to me in the sense that I overdo it. I am constantly, every moment, starting new projects, seeking new passions, developing new skills and starting new hobbies……..I think my problem is that there just is not enough time to “cook everything inside me”, in your words
!
Hi Famoosh – I find that there is plenty of time to ‘cook what is inside of us’. The problem arises when we take other’s advice and cook what they think is waiting to be cooked inside of us. thanks!
‘How long do I wait before I cook up something new inside of me?’ Great question. I have been waiting too long. I am bored!
I don’t know what’s cooking inside of me, but I do know what is steaming inside of me! I am boiling mad about the state of the economy and the way the federal government is handling it.
Imagine taking that ‘boiling mad energy’, Ben, and using it creatively; what would you do with it?
I dug ditches for two summers while in college. I got callouses on my hands; it toughened me up for life. I liked it.
Right now, what is cooking inside of me is graduation day! I am so excited to see what is next for me in life.
Hi Nancy, an old song lyric, ‘hey good lookin … what cha got cookin?’ I suspect that is what’s up with you, and I suspect that what you’ve got cookin will be wonderful!
I have a dormant seed inside of me. I can feel it stirring. I don’t know how to nurture it to make it grow?
If the notion to do something new comes to you, nourish it by taking baby steps toward achieving it. If it is right for you, those baby steps will soon become giant leaps forward. Know thyself and learn to be sincere with yourself and the authentic-you will communicate with urges and yearnings that you’ve buried deep, Ethan.
I feel like an am in a dry spell right now. I need some fresh water (ideas) to nourish the seed deep inside of me, so I can do something new with my life. I am optimistic and eager.
I have a lot of fertile seeds inside of me – I am popping with great new ideas and I am acting on them as we speak.
I have dormant seeds of creativity buried in the cells of my brain – I love writing song lyrics … one day one of them will be a smash hit.
I believe you, MaryL …. I can feel the deep conviction inside of you.
I am always cooking with new ideas. I got a bonus at work this year already because of my suggestion on how to improve business.
I love that phrase, Sammy, ‘cooking with new ideas’. That is a great way to think of yourself – it will always reward you.