Ruby in the Sky

So, this post has been some time in the making, partly because I was stuck in my books for some very important tests, partly because I really wasn’t sure how to express myself. In fact, I’m still not sure, but I’ll just give it a try.

What I’ve been noticing recently, is that these days, it’s really hard to express your talent in the right way. You either come of as a huge boast or you don’t take to much credit for your work, the second I think of as being a result of the first. This has been going on for a long time, but it’s only now that I really have started to see, and I think it’s a damn shame.

There are so many talented people out there that don’t get the chance to develop because they bring themselves down. “Anyone could do that”, “it’s nothing special, really”, “thanks, but they do it even better”, those are the kinds of speeches a lot of people will give you if you complement them on something they did. When in reality, what they do can be really special, even if others can do a similar job. The point is not whether you are already the best (where’s the challenge in that?), the point is that you are good at something and you should use that.

For example, I have a friend that is amazing with her hands (I hope she won’t mind me using her as an example), and she loves to sketch out new cosplay looks and create them, but she used to always undermine her own talent, she still does, occasionally. As of late, she’s been getting more out there with her questions and answers, going to con’s (like F.A.C.T.S. ;)), and meeting more people with the same interest, some of whom have come really far already, and you can just tell how her self-esteem and happiness are growing because of it. I love to see her getting excited and the happy look she wears.

The thing that needs to change, comes from within, but requires encouragement from the people around you as well. If you have this friend, that is putting himself down or denying herself the joy they could get out of expressing their talents, help them. Tell them they are doing a wonderful job, tell them to keep it up. Criticize them, too, to help them grow. Listen to their endless stories, in short: do whatever they need to give them that little push. They will be grateful, and you will feel great. But most importantly: don’t forget that you are that friend. The one with the special talent that only you have. No one is better than you, they are just different, and you are the only one who can do you. Wear yourself with pride.

I hope that wasn’t too much of a rant.

Love,

Ruby