It's MY Talent!

Ever hear that everyone has a special talent that is unique to that person? I'm not sure whether that is a marketing technique but some people spend a lifetime overlooking their talents.

Every healthy child has an imagination that on occasion a parent would just as soon have not surfaced. Heck, imagination might link genetically, right? Then that would land the responsibility for that sensitive, uhmmm, creation on the parent, grandparent, great-grandparent. Well, you catch my drift.

American society sends strong mixed messages to young, tender minds.

Last of the big-time spenders --

"Think, honey. Just think about what all you can make with one pipe cleaner, some glue and glitter."

Reason and logic at its best --

"Johnny, when you swing that bat, smack the ball so hard that it knocks the sun out of the sky."

Truth lost the race --

"Of course you came from the turnip patch, Rosaliea. Don't listen to anyone tell you anything else."

Feedback connection disconnected --

"Cindy when you sing, stand tall, look out just over the heads of the audience, then let 'er rip, hon."

Maybe imagination is hereditary and a child's talent reflects the parent's talent. If so, that would be a compliment to a bunch of dull parents and bring hope to a nation.

Let's look at a few imaginations that we experience together.

Stephen King. That is imagination SUPERSIZED. I believe we can confidently say King was a prodegy of imaginative reason and logic. I mean, really! Who ever heard of a freakin car that wouldn't die? (I wonder if his mom's name is Christine?)

Jay Leno. Can you believe that guy's brain can click so fast? Jeepers, I would have been afraid to talk to him over the telephone when he was a tyke. "Hello? It's JayBoy." "Hello . . . Oh? JayBoy? I don't know anyone named JayBoy, do I?" "Lady, you're asking me who you know? I'm only four years old and I think you're either pretty dumb or not very bright." "Well, JayBoy, you need to watch your mouth. I have you know that I am bright. I am very bright. I'm wearing hot pink today." (Dial tone.)

Thomas Edison. Edison imagined a lighted turnip patch and now we have light bulbs.

Walt Disney. He surely must have seen all of those loveable characters in his head before he sketched them. The next time you're tempted to scold the youngin for doodling instead of doing homework, take a deep breath and say, "D-I-S-N-E-Y-L-A-N-D." Then listen, "kerching, kerching, kerching."

Now, go get your pipe cleaner and forget all the do's and dont's.

© Coninc., TheDownsideUp.Com 2006