Youth enters the world with every happy prejudices in her own favour. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice or lustre darkened by envy and malignity…… (Samuel Johnson)
Talent is your innate ability to do something. It is your natural ability which is inborn.
Skill is a learnt ability. It is acquired or developed after you put in a lot of time and hard work.
In a nutshell, talent is natural while skill is developed with practice.
Some scholars are of the opinion that thinking is not a talent. It is a skill that could be acquired through continuous challenging work, serious follow up, penetrating observation, thoughtful reading and accumulation of knowledge.
There are no doubts that they youths are laddened with potentials, but we need to ask a necessary question; what are the challenges facing the youths and hindering them from attaining those heights, those beautiful dreams? I you ask me, I will say it is a two-way something: there is the hindrance caused by the youths themselves and there is the hindrance caused by the society (state). Let us see how the youths could turn address the challenges that come from them:
The youths are intelligent so they employ that in circumventing various laws and defrauding the people or society. What if these youths employ their knowledge is bring up resourceful ideas and productive means of building the society?
The youths have strength, so they could easily engage in social vices. What if they engage themselves in community development projects and execute self-help programs?
The youths have vigour, they have exuberance so they give in to distracting and damaging lifestyles. What if the youths exploit this vigour and build a habit that promotes health, good living and a sane society?
You will agree with me that if the above is cultivated among the youths, it will go a long way in bring a great society where life and living will be happy and peaceful.
I am not forgetting that some situations in our country are so daunting that we are forced out of our talents, out of the things we have a knack for and we embrace those things we ordinarily will not do just as a result challenges and difficulties beyond our control. However, I will strongly advice that we do not give up. Let us not see it as the end of the road for us. Rather, we see it as the capital we need to acquire invest in our dreams, our talents and happiness. Denzel Washington will say: fall down seven times and rise up eight times.
There is need for you to believe in yourself, have confidence in your abilities, and with a deep acknowledgement of the God-factor. You have to say YES to yourself, you have to believe in the power of your thoughts and make a move to bring your dreams and thinking into reality/fruition. Bob Marley in his song ‘Wake up and live’ intimated thus: “life is one big road with lots of signs. So, when you are riding through the routes don’t you complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, bring your dream into reality”
I know some of us are confused about what we are really good at or better still, we find it hard to confidently say this is who I am. Alas! You don’t have to worry out your life about that. You just have to meditate deeply and wholly about your life and living, pray about it and discuss with other persons (both professionals and your peers).
Find out what you do with ease, those things you could do for free and for the fun that come from doing them, those things that give you satisfaction and happiness; perfect them and soar high.
Let me quickly add that it is not going to be easy and simple as said, they are very much possible. Why are we the sons and daughters of the living God?! We need a plan, focus, determination and action. Also, we need the faith of Abraham, the patience of Job and love for God like David. Let us continue showing commitment and adopt a positive approach, then, every little thing will be alright. At the peak of our lives we would proudly say we are more than conquerors.
