Contributed by Leisa Bye.

Talent. Do you think you ‘have a talent’ or are ‘talented’ at something? I’m surprised by the number of people who don’t feel as if they do. However, I believe that everyone has talent, some have many. Talent comes in various forms. The Arts, sport, academia … life!

What is YOUR talent?

Some would say they don’t have a ‘talent’, but even if it’s not something that stands out as what you would perceive as a ‘talent’, there are people who are just better at some things than others. To me, this is talent. YOU are talented. I may even argue that your specific talent is that you are you!

I sometimes wonder is there a difference between a natural talent, or a learned talent? Is talent something we naturally have? We’re born with it – some may use the term God given. Or is it something we can learn over time. I think both kinds exist. But even if you’re born with it, you still need to craft it, right? Still need to learn ‘how to use it’? Still need to put it into practice so you get better at it? A violinist may have the natural essence of a player, and play with feeling and have an ability on picking the instrument up, but they still need to learn ‘how’ to play it, right? An athlete may be naturally gifted, but they still need to train, right?

Using myself as an example. I’m an award winning singer and yodeller … now! I’ve been singing since I was 12. But I wasn’t always able to do what I do now, I didn’t always win awards. When I first started, I was terrible. Actually, I was TERRIBLE. It deserves the capitals! I couldn’t sing in key, I couldn’t sing in time, I had no idea how to stick to a melody… but when it came to stage performance and confidence, I had tonnes!

I was told by a number of people that I should just stop singing. That I wasn’t talented. I actually had people tell me I was terrible. To be blunt it was quite obvious that I wasn’t good. But I had confidence on my side, and I didn’t think I could be as bad as what everyone was telling me I was, surely! So I kept going, I didn’t give up. I knew I wasn’t good, but I wanted to do it. I had the drive to do it. I practiced, I probably should have had some lessons, but practice I did. For three whole years I competed in singing competitions without winning a single award, then one day, they gave me an encouragement award – for yodelling!

I had two people in my life who were the major reasons I continued to persevere to learn my talent. My mother, and the president of the country music club we were members of. My brother was a fabulous singer, he was able to just sing, he had a beautiful voice. So we were always around music. But this man told my mother that ‘if that little girl wants to sing, we’ll do everything we can so she can sing’. And once a week she took me to his family’s home and he tried to find keys, helped me with timing, made me feel like I mattered, and that me wanting to sing also mattered. Someone took the time to want to help me. He told me as an adult that he wanted to put the guitar down and give up sometimes, but he’s so glad that he didn’t, and so am I. Thank you, Hughie.

As an adult I am the prime example of someone who people perceive as being talented. Yet I didn’t always have it, I learned it over time.

My mother is also the same. She sings and has a beautiful voice. But when she was in Year 4 at school she took up the violin. The Nuns at her school hit her hands and told her she wasn’t allowed to continue as she was tone deaf. It wasn’t until she was in her 40’s that she tried music, this time singing, again. She has now been enjoying performing (singing and playing guitar) for over 25 years. And she is wonderful!

It makes me wonder how many out there have been told something similar in their lives. That they’re not good at something, so they don’t continue with it. Yes, talent can be natural, but it can also be learned. Our world is enriched by the talent of others.

So next time you think there’s something you don’t like that someone else does, maybe keep that opinion close to your chest, as you never know talent you may stifle in someone.

We need to celebrate everyone’s unique abilities – their talent!

Thank you, Hughie, for sticking with me!

That very first award, a yodelling encouragement … after competing for three years.

4 years after that first award.

And MANY years on from that first award.