Jack (or Jill) of all trades

Little Miss loves ballet.  When I heard that Rasta Thomas' Rock the Ballet was coming to Melbourne, I bought tickets.  We went to the matinee show on Sunday and Little Miss loved it.  Padawan wasn't that keen to begin with but the acrobatics and music won him over in the end.

Watching the exceptionally talented, fit and flexible dancers made me feel totally unqualified to be human.  I can't do a backflip.  Or put my foot behind my ear while standing on one foot.  I can't do the splits or pirouette.  I doubt I can even do a forward roll any more.   To add insult to injury, I cannot sing.  Or act.  Or talk in a foreign accent.  I am not known for my mathematical genius.  Or any other kind of genius, for that matter.  I don't have any exceptional human talents.

I understand that I am not "one in 6 billion" that has a special talent.  I can, however, do most things to some degree of competence.  I am not an expert on anything in particular but more a Jack (or perhaps Jill) of all trades.  I believe that the majority of people in the world are, too.  I think that by experimenting in different things we become more adaptable and therefore more competent in each of the things we try.  I think the ability to do multiple things competently stems from the fact that every experience can provide the opportunity for transferable skills.  As humans, we have the ability to draw on previous learnings when presented with a unique experience. We are also capable of doing a very broad range of tasks.

Now, while I am not a "one in 6 billion" I can sew (not straight or fast), bake, swing a hammer, paint, add (and subtract!), organise things according to priorities, use power tools, give a manicure, make jam, write lists, use a chainsaw, split wood and do yoga (albeit not well or with finesse).  I can even dance.  And while I will never be a ballerina, I get great joy from dancing.  And, for me, that's enough.