One of the best things about being graduated is how much time I now have to spend on my hobbies and developing my talents. My reading time has increased, I've learned to crochet, I have opportunities to cook a little more often, I've spent a little more time playing guitar, and I get to sew sometimes. I really love it!
I think it's really been good for my self-esteem. My insecurities about certain things have, in the past, caused me to interact with people in a way that is less than perfect. I won't go into detail, but let's just say that I've finally started to see just as much value in myself as I see in other people--that is, I am trying to see myself as Heavenly Father sees me--and I feel more confidence in myself and love for other people than I've probably ever felt before.
I'm not saying that you have to cook, sew, be musical, and be a genius to value yourself. All I'm saying is that I've finally started to see how my talents can add meaning to my life, not because I'm "the best" at any certain thing, but because I have simply been striving to become better. Geez, it has taken me a long time to figure that out.
Now, I'm not the best singer in the world, but I still sing.
I'm not the best guitar player in the world, but I still play guitar.
I'm not the best or fastest crocheter in the world, but I still crochet.
When I sew I get really excited and end up sometimes skipping small but important steps that would make the final product look so much better, so I am certainly not the best seamstress in the world, but I still sew. (Side note: At first I actually typed that I'm "not the best sewer in the world." Also true.)
Mostly I do these things because I enjoy them, but hopefully I can soon figure out how to better serve others with those abilities, because I think that is the true purpose of talents and gifts. Each of us has been blessed with talents--both spiritual and temporal--that are characteristics we've inherited from our Father in Heaven. These gifts have been given to us to enrich our lives and improve the lives of those around us. So much of our world is based on competition to be the best at something, when really we should just strive to be the best versions of ourselves. I know people who have the gifts of joy, love, hope, and perspective, among many others. As we all share those unique and special gifts, our power and influence for good increases. What gifts do you have to share?
