I am listening to a CD featuring the choir of the University of Johannesburg. I bought it today at the Grahamstown Arts Festival after we watched their performance. It was much more than a performance though, it was an emotional experience. Their voices carried us through a whole spectrum of emotions from goosebumps, tears and nostalgia to joy and laughter. These young people (and their conductors) know their stuff. These young people do way more than merely sing and entertain. https://www.uj.ac.za
We need different people with different talents to make our lives richer and more beautiful. We also need to develop our own talents and gifts so that we can contribute to society. The problem we often have is thinking that we aren’t ‘good enough’. When I listen to these young voices I know that their singing talents outstrips mine by far. My family will tell you that I actually shouldn’t sing anywhere except in the shower. But I have other talents and passions that I can use. All of us do. We must remember that one gift isn’t greater that another one. I also believe that we didn’t receive gifts, talents or abilities for use in private only. I heard a beautiful song today that was written by a lady in a small town and only discovered after her death. Apparently she had written dozens of very good songs over her lifetime but had never publicised them. I’m just wondering what joy she would have experienced if she had heard one of her songs performed by a choir?
I know that everyone who writes music, or paints, or acts won’t become world famous, but for every gift their has to be a recipient. By that I mean if you paint a picture it should be painted to be enjoyed by somebody. You didn’t receive that talent to satisfy yourself. If you sing, there should be someone who can listen to your voice and be touched in som way; made richer for the experience.
Before I get too serious here, I want to share my recipe for gluten free chocolate chip cookies with you. I found a recipe for GF sugar cookies on pinterest and adapted it. They are really delicious. This is the link: http://pin.it/BG0hSIf
This is my version:
3 cups gluten free flour (I mix equal parts of chickpea, tapioca, rice and potato flour) If you use a commercial GF flour which contains Xanthan Gum don’t add any more
3 teaspoons xanthan gum
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 – 1 cup chocolate chips (depending on how much you like chocolate)
250 g margarine (I used cordon bleu baking margarine)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk
Method:
Mix the dry ingredients (except chocolate) in a bowl. Beat the butter and sugar till light an fluffy. Add the egg, milk and vanilla and beat till combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix till a crumbly mixture is formed (use the dough attachment on your beater, or your hands). Add the chocolate chips and knead till a firm dough is formed. Roll out the dough on a floured surface (about 5mm thick). Cut out shapes and place on baking paper on a baking sheet and bake at 180 degree Celcius till golden (about 10 – 12 minutes). Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool (if you have any self control).
Delicious gluten free choc chip cookies
In conclusion, whatever talent you have, please use it. Don’t think its not good enough. You are unique and what you have inside of you is exactly what someone else may need to make it through their day.
alexfromalexblog 