Diane Mierzwik

September 13, 2009

There are some things I am rather good at, and some things I’m not so good at.

I’m pretty good at gardening. Five years ago I moved from a valley home with clay earth and rather consistent temperatures. My yard was full of begonias, gardenias, Mexican sage and narcissus. Then I moved to a pass area home where we get snow, high winds and the soil is sandy. Five years later, my yard is full of four o’clocks, holly hocks, russian sage and lamb’s ear. It’s gorgeous if I do say so myself.

I’m not very good at putting in sprinkler systems. The system I put in at my valley home lay on the top of the planters and paths though I did dig a trench for burying the pipes. Luckily, my husband has grown quite good at installing sprinkler systems and I have learned to wait patiently for the sprinklers to be in before I begin planting, mostly.

I’m good at teaching. Three years ago I left teaching for administration work, yet I am tempted by moments to explain and help and coach and celebrate in others’ successes. It’s something I can’t help but do, even when not asked.

I’m not so good at singing, so this morning at church I sang my lungs out because I believe there are some things you should do with gusto even if you aren’t good at them and singing is one of those things.

I know people, they used to be my friends but who wants to be friends with people who exert energy on criticizing me, not me, who have hinted that maybe I shouldn’t sing so loud. I have been in the acquaitance of people who have rudely told me to not sing so loud, a person in the car next to mine and our windows both happen to be rolled down. Still, I sing with gusto.

At my age, I have learned to accept the things I am not good at, and find people in my life who are willing to help me with those things. Recently at a football game, my husband and son informed me they were going to help me make friends and coached me through the evening. I gather from the experience that choosing to sit where there is lots of space to spread out is not a key ingredient to being sociable. Who knew?

So, this morning when my thoughts fleeted on the notion that it would be better if the band was a bit louder to drown me out and I worried that the poor gentleman in front of me could hear me, I wondered if I had time to take voice lessons. Probably not, was the answer. Then I contemplated singing more softly. No, never did I think that I would not sing at all.

What is more beautiful? Someone who stops doing something because he is convinced he is no good at “it”? Or someone who does something with gusto depsite being fully aware at her lack of talent in the activity?

Usually my radio is loud enough that those around me can’t hear me. I rarely sing acapella, but I love to sing.

Besides, at my age, my hearing is going and I sound great to me!

This week I will do everything with gusto, even those things I’m not very good at.