Enjoyment vs Talent and Mean vs Honest
I will be the first to admit that I am a fairly average guy. I have no problem saying that because I know that it is true. I am comfortable with my average-ness. Would I be happy if I had unbelievable athletic ability and was making millions of dollars in pro sports? Sure! What if I had superior musical talent and #1 hits naturally flowed from my mouth and guitar like refreshing, cold water from a spring? That would be great too! I tried my hand at both of those things, only to find, you guessed it, that I am pretty normal.
However, there are some people in this wonderful world that don't see things as I have described above. Many of these people are young and without much "life experience". They will learn soon enough. Others are mixed up in their thinking. So mixed up that they believe if they enjoy something then they are in fact good at that activity. Enjoyment does not equal talent. Pleasure does not make you a star. It is these people that I would like to discuss today.
Have you ever watched American Idol? If you haven't watched or aren't interested in people who sing, you should at least tune is for the first few episodes of the show. If you do so, Ryan Seacrest will host you through the "try out" process of AI. Thousands and thousands and thousands of people will try to make the cut, hoping to become the next super star. It is during these episodes of the show where many of the "I enjoy singing so therefore I am good at singing" people show up. Here are a few:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOIGTmkRLAE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnakXkddTZQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJ-JaE6GIU&mode=related&search=
My favorite, by far is scat girl...what in the heck was that high note at the end?!
Anyway, back to the blog at hand. Why did these people try out for AI? They are not even average singers...they are terrible. Obviously Fox puts them on TV because they are entertaining and make good tv, but these poor people actually thought they had a chance to win the contest! They people enjoy singing. Are they good at singing? These people exist outside the music world as well. They are in almost every aspect of life.
I feel sorry for these people. #1. They made fools of themselves on national tv. #2. No one in their lives loved them enough to tell the that they aren't good singers. In fact, many had just the opposite happen. "Mommy has told me all my life that I am a wonderful singer." "Dad has always said that I am a great athlete." *A Side Note to Parents, encourage your children, ofcourse, but don't push them into embarrassment or towards public ridicule. That is a dis-service to your kid.* If you are one of these people take note. If you love guitar and know some chords and have some guitar gear, please be realistic about your talent and skill. Enjoy realistically.
Another thing that American Idol has caused me to realize is that people can't take honesty. Simon Cowell is a little mean sometimes, but he is honest. I think that honest people are mistaken for mean sometimes. Honest people "call it like they see it." To them, "a spade is a spade", while others may call it something else. Honesty is under-rated. Honesty is a buried treasure. Honesty is a priceless friend. Honesty is a refreshing drink. Honesty is a cool breeze. Honesty is a medium rare ribeye. Honesty is a wonderful surprise. Honesty is healing medicine. Honesty is a beautiful song. Honesty is the perfect answer.
Sometimes honesty might sting a little bit, but it is the best thing for us in the long run. It is the best thing for other people too. When honesty stings we are not hurt, we are helped. When honesty burns we are made stronger, not destroyed. The pain will go away soon, the embarrassment will fade and you and I will honestly know ourselves and others better.
Use honesty with care. Use it to help. Use it constructively. Be honest.