Jack of All Trades?

My dad once warned me against being a "Jack of all trades, but a master of none."  When he first told me this, it was as if the cliche came alive for me and it hit me hard.  I have known for a while that I had a "spirit of dabbling," meaning that I dabble in a bunch of different things...sometimes at the same time and sometimes here and there.  All it takes is for me to see that I am at least a little bit proficient in an area and I am set to go...  Yeah...going nowhere fast!

It's not good. It can be confusing and frustrating.

And your calling matters.

Some people downplay or fail to get in touch with what they are called to do. It really helps to dig deep, pray, and process to understand what you were born to do to help others in this world.  I am not exempt from trouble in this area!  The hardest part is being proficient or gifted in areas that are not your calling. Do you just let that talent sit there...helpful only when you are having spirited conversation with others or writing snarky comments on FaceBook?  Or do you ride on the shoulders of others, fists pumping in the air, face full of excitement as you are encouraged by others and led down a path different from the one you were called to travel?  Is there a middle ground?

This is how I feel about politics...cooking...acting...art...fashion...  Do I gear myself to run for president in 7 years...start my restaurant/catering business...join a theater troop...start back painting or doing graphic design...or launch the fashion line I have dreamed about?  Le sigh...

Now I am working hard to process through and be completely honest with myself on what my real skills are, and what things I just like to engage in sometimes.  For example...I can sing a little bit. Ask me to be a part of your choir and I am good...but I won't be pursuing a record deal anytime soon. And it's not just because of talent or the lack thereof, but because of passion. I can't see myself being happy singing long term.  Yes, I still want my country single to come out. Yep...I sure do. But I wouldn't be able to give up on things like being an educator and a writer in order to sing.  See? I have already worked towards getting more clarity! :-)

Breaking out of bad habits is no easy task--especially since it takes a major amount of self-awareness in order to see through self-delusions.  Hopefully I won't have to struggle with this issue for long and will be able to pray and sift through opportunities as they come so that I can stay on track and not turn my back on things that seemed off track, but perfectly in the perfect will for my life.

*Cue the music* Because I just wanna be, I just wanna be successful.