First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

The way I remember it, the first time I sat down at a typewriter, it was as if my fingers knew exactly what to do. QWERTY was like ABC, to me, and before long, I was speedily clicking away, like I was born with the talent. Sadly, secretarial skills are not a sexy or lucrative natural gift. I’d much prefer being a great composer, tennis player or astrophysicist, and that brings me to, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. What does that mean, anyway? The proverb, dating back to 1546, advises us to resist the urge to look at a gift’s price tag, in this case, the teeth of a horse, which was a sure way to determine its age and therefore its value. But is there really such a thing as inborn talent?
K. Anders Ericsson, who has made a career studying extraordinary people, writes that what’s more important than talent, is our willingness and ability to work harder than everyone else.
Check back tomorrow for the announcement of a new CONTEST.

Image:  Galloping horse using a series of photos shot by Eadweard Muybridge in 1878.

1. First Person Singular | CONTEST: What is Your Natural Gift? says:

   July 28, 2010 at 11:47 am

   […] an eerie ability to taste feelings in food. We’d like to hear about YOUR natural gift. (e.g, here’s mine.) What comes most easily to you? What distinct talent does it seem you were born with? Your natural […]

   Reply
2. Penina Podwol Alexander says:

   August 9, 2010 at 1:56 pm

   I really like your galloping horse!

   Reply