Author's Reflection...

Do you ever wonder why you like or are drawn to certain people, and why they to you? I have always been attracted toward artsy folks and musicians. It almost seems an innate draw since I was a child. As a teen I was in Heaven when I went to Greenwich Village with my two friends. It was all there. The art, the music and the labeled eccentrics who I felt very at home with wearing my suede fringed jacket embellished with beads around my neck. One whiff of incense brings me right back, even after all these years.
Today I am still as strongly drawn to the musicians, singers, painters, photographers and writers.They inspire me, awe me, and give my senses and emotions intense pleasure.
Then the question arose...(while in bed this morning.) Would I still be drawn to these friends if for whatever reason, their talents were taken away? Those pictures that make my eyes weep. That voice that soothes better than warm brandy. Or that novel or poem that inspires me to better things.

Do I love the person or the talent?
Ah, but then I realized that there would be no talent if not for that person's heart and soul and his or her desire to bring out the beauty, words or songs that reside there. So YES, I love the person, even if he or she never lets out one more part of their gift. The talent merely helped reveal 'who' they are on the inside.
Of course, this is not to say that I am never drawn to others with different gifts not related to the arts. Everyone emits their own brand of inner beauty in one way or another. The key is to take notice. In the arts it is more easily recognizable for me. But there are the subtle hearts and souls who I adore and whose gifts can range from kindness to a great sense of humor or insight that can change the shift of my whole day. The gardeners and designers who create loveliness in our lives. The cooks who feed us and the faith-filled who uplift us. There are endless gifts. "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." Romans 12:6
So, you who I call 'friend'...EVEN if you never paint another brush stroke, play another chord, sing another note, snap another photo or write another word. I know the beautiful part of you on the inside and am grateful I noticed. And I thank you for noticing that part of me too.