Welcome back!
Ok, recently I’ve been thinking about how we have control over certain things that happen to us and how so many things are left to chance. Situations that we find ourselves in are the result of where we’re raised, the types of families we’re a part of and the various opportunities that may or may not come along during our lifetimes.
Have you ever wondered if you have a great talent for a particular activity, but you’ve never known about it because of a lack of exposure to that activity? What if you have a natural ability for painting, but have never taken a class or experimented with it? Perhaps you have the potential to be an award-winning violinist, but have never picked up a musical instrument (except for the recorder in 5th grade)? What if you were born to be a swimmer, but also had a fear of water that kept you from ever finding out that you had mad swim skills?
I’m sure there are countless people throughout history who could have done amazing things if they had been given the right opportunities. Allow me to illustrate, by providing two completely backwards examples.
The year is 1963. A baby Michael Jordan is born into the world. But here’s the kicker… instead of being born into an American family in Brooklyn, he’s born into a Russian, figure skating-loving family in the city of Krasnozamensk. He strives for years to learn the more common twizzle turns and flippity flips, but to no avail. His village peers skate laps around him and he decides that he was simply not meant to be an athlete. He goes on to be an average student in school, always wondering if he could have been more. Nevertheless, because he has been told his whole life that he was not made for sports, he concedes and goes on to become a nanny for a wealthy family who owns a hat-making business by the name of “Ushanka hat? We got ‘em!” In case you don’t know what a “ushanka” is and need assistance understanding that joke, here’s a picture:
This is a ushanka. I definitely need one.
Westerners try to introduce basketball to the country in the ‘70’s, but it is quickly rejected due to the incompatibility of the harsh Russian winters and inexplicably short basketball shorts.* Michael grows old, never realizing the magnitude of his unleashed talents.
Here’s another one…
What if beloved actor Leonardo DiCaprio had never been introduced to acting, but instead was born to an Amish family in Pennsylvania that didn’t own a TV or watch movies? Rather than starring in high-budget flicks about diamonds and sinking ships, he would plow the fields and build beautiful nude furniture from sunrise to sundown, periodically shouting “I’m the king of the farm!” Instead of sporting a modern hair-do, he would have an Amish-mandated haircut that would serve to ensure females were never attracted to him (this would be a pretty ugly haircut given his striking good looks). Luxurious hand-made suits would be substituted with hideous, yet practical, hand-made overalls. Rather than driving fancy sports cars and flying around the world on private jets, he would saddle up on his best pony.** One day, he would venture out into the non-Amish world, catch a glimpse of a movie playing on TV and wonder if he could’ve been an actor.
It really makes you think, huh? What if you are the Michael Jordan of a sport you haven’t yet been exposed to or the Leonardo DiCaprio of the arts? Think of all the things you’ve never tried. Haven’t skied before? Go skiing. Haven’t baked a pie? Go bake. Haven’t tried singing, other than in your car while nobody else is around? Quit your job, take singing lessons and start a band. Ok, no…I take it back. Don’t do that.
* I don’t have the slightest clue if/when basketball was introduced to Russia.
** A small pony would suffice, he’s a short little guy.
Nice post! Thought provoking indeed! I’ve been thinking of trying my hand at writing and playing a guitar.. Guess I should give it a try.. Even if it turns out to be rubbish, atleast I’ll know where I stand.
You should try! If nothing else, it’s something you can say you’ve tried. I’m pretty bad about trying new things, but writing this made me think of all kinds of things I should push myself to learn.
If you have been a victim of a missed opportunity, the only natural reaction is to blame your parents for lack of exposure. I’m pretty sure I could have been a surfer, or even a tennis player had I been given the chance at a young age.
Yeah, too bad we never had the chance to play tennis, ever, especially not on a weekly or so basis. Speaking of tennis…I have a great picture of us playing tennis that I’ll be using in a future blog post. You’ll be humiliated, but probably not as much as me.
BTW, Carly, Target hass some Ushanka-like hats this year…I’ll put in on your Xmas list.
Cool…be sure to get a gift receipt. I mean, just in case there’s something wrong with it of course.
I’m actually really surprised they’re selling those in Texas.
I’m sure I could have been tall and thin if I had the proper exposure. Great post!
Haha!! I could probably think up all kinds of things I could’ve been too when you look at it that way.
Love it! I’m so going out and discovering at least one hidden talent this year.
That’s great! I want to find a talent, too, but not sure what that’ll be…
Deep Thoughts by Curly Carly. I’m thinking you don’t eat magic mushrooms or smoke the ganga but are just a philosophical person. You can turn it around the other way too, like what if Tiger Woods didn’t play golf and ended up getting an advanced degree in chemical engineering and inventing a cure for x? In other words, the people that have seemingly accomplished what others dream might have been more stellar at something else.
Am I high?
Les
Yep, I enjoy some deep thinking…no drugs involved. And you bring up an interesting point, I didn’t even consider people having multiple talents like that. It makes sense though, especially if someone has intellectual talent and musical talent (vs. athletic ability).
girl, aren’t you but a funny, witty and interesting fellow! Ohhhh… we would never know unless we try!
I’m old enough to try new things or not, mostly depending on whim. I’m just learning to surf, but I don’t think I’ll ever learn quantum physics. I am doing reading to at least get an understanding of it though.
Mostly, your post just made my head spin and occasionally, I wonder what alternate-universe me is doing these days…
Amen sister (or brother)! Here’s another cautionary tale- I always wanted to write, but never found my voice until a hyper-active gargantuan dog bounded into my life and my heart. THEN my salary got chopped up into little bits and I so old that finding another job continues to prove impossible. BUT I start a little blog and slowly but surely it grows. It brings me hope. It gives me ideas about ways I could write and actually make a little money.
Your blog definitely has a unique and interesting angle, which seems to be a pretty important trait of succesful blogs. That’s good advice, too. I’ve started fantasizing about quitting my job to write but then I snap back to reality and decide that would be a huge mistake. I’ll hold off on that until I feel I’m on the verge of becoming the next JK Rowling. I’ll probably have to write a book first.
Great post! I have thought this many times. ALso, thankyou for following my blog! Much apretiated
No problem! I enjoy it!
I have an *scrolls back up for spelling* ushanka! That means you have to think I’m cool (so thats two people now, if you include my 3 year old niece! WOO!) I always thought I’d make a great goat herder, who goes off seeking adventure and eventually slays a dragon and wins the hand of the princess. Unfortunately goats are only mythical and princesses get snooty when all you want is their hand
Haha! I’m sure you could be a goat herder if you really set your mind to it. Slaying dragons might be a little more difficult. Maybe it’ll be possible in a few years once genetic engineering takes off!
Where I love this post and all it makes one contemplate, I think Leo would be great with the Amish haircut. It’s the beard that would get me worried, would it be silky or a weird creepy pubic hair sort?
Haha…you know, I definitely haven’t thought about that. I imagine he could pull off any look, Amish or otherwise.
This awesome! Great encouragement to go out and live!
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I think about this ALL THE TIME! But then I think of all the things I should be trying out and I get so overwhelmed by the choices! I keep thinking I could be really good at something, I just don’t know what!
I actually feel the exact same way…I know I should be taking my advice, but there isn’t anything I’ve always wanted to try and just haven’t. I think the first step is to think about things you’d like to do and then tackle it. That’s gonna be my plan anyway.