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Not So, the Gifted Few - Gregory Richard Barden's Blog

About Gregory Richard Barden
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Welcome to my page!

I am a man of many interests - TOO many, I think, lol - and because of that I never gave writing the attention I should have when I was young. I started writing poetry in December of 2016, and joined Poetry Soup at the same time. I am currently working on an R&B/Soul album for a major label, so, as has usually been the case, poetry does not get the time I'd like to give it, (though I plan to change that in the future, and write a book-or-two, a sci-fi novel and an autobiography) ...

I like to incorporate classic styles and phrasing into a modern frame when I write poetry, and try to cover a wide range of genres, but I enjoy the darkly sensual the most, despite its limited audience. I hope you'll give my rather unusual style a chance, read a piece-or-two, and leave a comment, if you'd be so kind. I also hope you'll visit my music web site as well, (at the following address under my moniker "Bahku") - mostly (very) old recordings there, but also a snippet of the first single coming, and more new stuff soon!

www.bahku.com

Thanks for stopping by my page - blessings!


Not So, the Gifted Few

Blog Posted:4/7/2018 2:20:00 AM

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"Oh, you're SO talented - so gifted!"

Do you ever hear that phrase or something similar? How do you answer? I always try to say, "Thank you - so are YOU!", and pray it leads to the following discussion. I think we "artistic" types sometimes feel ourselves of rarefied air, and while we writers DO have a talent with words, that just makes us poets, and not an elite class. Yes, poetry is a rare talent, (one I'll never perfect), but talent is not rare ...

EVERYone is gifted - EVERYone has talent and exceptional abilities, but everyone is DIFFERENT, and sometimes those talents and abilities are not as readily visible, or even as tangible, as they are for others. YOU are talented and gifted, (perhaps in ways you've yet to discern), whether you realize it or not, and if you don't, it's still waiting for you to discover it ...

Or maybe you have multiple gifts but haven't found one that inspires you. Just because that gift may not be considered "artistic" or "creative", doesn't mean it's any less noteworthy or important, any less substantive or integral, or any less of a gift, especially when it comes to the contributions you can make to humanity, or the blessing you can be to others by way of your talents ...

FINDING those gifts is not always an easy task, as there are many things that we pursue simply because we love them, (things that we may not have an inclination toward or talent for), and many things we may have a talent for that are simply not a part of our lives, or are not placed in our paths, due to circumstances or timing. Einstein said this, quite correctly:

"Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

FIND your gift and develop it, whatEVER it may be, and never think that it's not as wonderful or important as anyone else's, simply because you can't frame it and hang it on the wall, or put a cover on it for publishing, or perform it on stage, or win the Nobel Peace Prize with it. Enjoy it and share it with the world, be proud of it and find joy within it, (and always stay humble). Maybe you're a fish, and trees are just not your thing ...

So ... SWIM!!



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Date: 4/12/2018 10:29:00 AM
Your last couple of sentences are so important.....yes we are all different, and each person may have a talent that contributes something wonderful to humanity (we hope)..., but staying humble is often the key to standing out above the crowd . I love this blog :) !! Wise words !
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/14/2018 11:06:00 PM
Thank you SO much, Carrie, and you are so correct ... arrogance is a major turn off, and good work will always speak for itself. Blessings and thank you for the comment, my friend! :-) <3
Date: 4/11/2018 6:48:00 PM
Finding out the gifts you have to offer humanity takes some a lifetime and I agree with all you have said Greg. Wonderful advice!
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 4/11/2018 11:20:00 PM
For sure Greg. Look at Grandma Moses who began painting at age 78. : )
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 10:53:00 PM
Indeed it does, Connie - I didn't start with poetry until about two years ago, and even that wasn't "seriously" ... it's never too late, my friend, for new discoveries as well! :-) <3
Date: 4/10/2018 12:27:00 AM
Talent doesn't always mean success. Everyone has talent but not everyone has the perseverance to succeed.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:37:00 AM
Andrea - I am quite sure some of those people have not discovered their true gifts yet, sadly ... some people WANT to be great singers, and just don't have the correct gift. Ouch! :-) <3
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:35:00 AM
Absolutely - well-said, and I completely agree, my good friend!
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/10/2018 5:40:00 PM
and not all those with perseverance succeed, especially on American Idol!
Date: 4/7/2018 2:40:00 PM
:) ....a very true and introspective perspective Greg. Enjoyed this greatly.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:33:00 AM
Thank you so much, FJ, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, my friend! Blessings! :-)
Date: 4/7/2018 10:39:00 AM
An inspiring blog, Greg!! Many here with MANY gifts!!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:32:00 AM
You are so right, Andrea ... indeed! <3
Date: 4/7/2018 9:44:00 AM
sometimes learning is the ability to allow yourself to fail with everyone watching
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:32:00 AM
Absolutely, my friend, and very well-stated ... nothing good comes without sacrifice, and that sacrifice can be painful. Blessings, Frederic!
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 4/7/2018 2:38:00 PM
Wisdom in a kind man's words :)
Date: 4/7/2018 9:12:00 AM
...said the momma fishy, swim if you can and they swam, swam, swam, right over the dam.....
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:31:00 AM
You must be of similar era, John - that was popular in scout trips back in the day. Blessings, my friend! :-)
Date: 4/7/2018 7:58:00 AM
I don't think it could have been said any better than this. Very encouraging blog, Greg.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:29:00 AM
Thank you so much, Becca - blessings, Friend! :-) <3
Date: 4/7/2018 7:41:00 AM
Wonderful blog Greg! I'm finding myself right now in middle age discovering I have such a gift (not writing), your words a timely gift. I love the quote. My toe is in the water, getting ready to dive in... <3
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:29:00 AM
Yes - dive deep, my friend ... and swim with joyous abandon! :-) <3
Date: 4/7/2018 4:31:00 AM
As Ephesians 2:10 has it Greg,'we are His 'workmanship' (poiema ((work of art))....Education ..is or better yet..should be how we discover our god-given giftings in all manner of areas of life.I am thankful I found mine,even if a little late in my life.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/11/2018 12:28:00 AM
Well-said, my friend ... well-said, indeed!

My Past Blog Posts

 
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* MERRY CHRISTMAS *
Date Posted: 12/25/2019 2:42:00 AM
Christmas Concert - Video UPDATE
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Date Posted: 12/10/2019 5:45:00 PM
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11/29/2024 g’night Free verseanalogy,death,loss,mom,mo
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A Midsummer Night's Beach Free versebeauty,color,creation,sea
Zest May Our Love Say Dizaindesire,devotion,love,roma
The World Around Us Rhymeearth,environment,war,
Love of Nature Coupletnature,
Violin Free verselonely,muse,romance,roman
Aurora At Dawn Rhymebeauty,inspirational,morn
The Ride Iambic Pentameterimagination,memory,sad,
A Prince For Roseanne Rhymefantasy,
Picture Perfect Rhymeamerica,corruption,deep,p
A Candid Rainscape Free verseflower,imagery,nature,rai
It Don'T Really Matter Rhymefun,humor,love,
Surely, I Shall Prosebirth,death,
Gutter Pavement Runway Flight Free verseaddiction,appreciation,da
White Rainbows Imagismcolor,garden,imagery,
Behind Closed Doors - Emotive Write Rhymeabuse,bullying,house,lone
Amethyst Fate Ottava rimaflower,imagery,metaphor,
Love Lies Bleeding Rispettoflower,metaphor,
The Potter and the Clay Narrativechange,character,conflict
When Her Roses Bloom Romanticismlost love,rose,
Time Lost In the Current Verseemotions,fear,ocean,
Broken Soldiers Rhymeage,humanity,soldier,
Cry For Wind Quatrainanalogy,animal,beautiful,
As I Journey East Free versebeauty,journey,
Worlds of Ice Free versedream,love,memory,sleep,w
Lost Childhood -Part 4- Rhymeabuse,child,child abuse,c
Yet Not Broken By the Blues Free verseanti bullying,holocaust,m
As the Year Matures Monorhymejune,
Freedom Is Written In Stars and Moon Free verseabuse,change,dark,freedom
May Showers Contest Haikunature,rain,
Touch - the healing Acrosticspiritual,
Nestled Under Your Wings Free verseimagery,inspirational,upl
Diamonds From the Sky Blank versebeautiful,beauty,desire,e
Skipping a Stone Quatorzainimagery,nature,
Pondering Castle Ruins At Dusk Free versebeauty,betrayal,
Autumn Royal Rhyme Royalautumn,sad,
Lake's Music Free versepeace,river,song,
Corridors of Uncertainty Chokaintrospection,
Despicable Free verseabuse,evil,girl,
Still I Run Villanelleautumn,death,truth,
My Solitary Wandering Free versememory,solitude,
Starshine and Silhouettes Rhymebeauty,dance,desire,image
Late Summer Nights Dream At the Cat In the Hat Coupletimagination,nonsense,
Hoping That It Might Be You Lyricfriendship love,hope,long
Realization Sonnetlife,
Hollow Man Rhymehappiness,introspection,i
When I No Longer Love You Romanticismlove,romance,
Mawu Amongst Stars Sonnetbeauty,magic,memory,
From Sunset To Sunrise Rhymelove,
Dance of the Firebird Free versebeautiful,dance,sensual,
A Lullaby Rhymeloneliness,lost love,natu
From Glory To Dust-2 Acrosticangst,confusion,corruptio
Under the Stars Romanticismautumn,love,poetry,romanc
Miss Allegheny Mountain Monorhymeimagery,mountains,nature,
Real Men Wear Pink Rhymecharacter,funny,humor,per
I Dance Prose Poetryabuse,dance,music,pain,
You Echo, Silent Still Free verselost love,
His Evening's Mystery Lyriclove,mystery,
Rainless Clouds Pantoumblue,sad,
Poets Rhymeappreciation,encouraging,
Love Will Come To You Lyricintrospection,longing,lov
Poetry Rhymeart,meaningful,poetry,poe
Landscape - Beach Scene Quatrainart,
When the Sun Drowns In the Sea Rhymelost love,
Ulan At Sinag Ng Araw: Pagmumuni Ng Isang Tulirong Isip Free verseangst,feelings,introspect
Midnight Romance Sonnetdesire,dream,imagery,long
A Peaceful I Love You Iambic Pentameterbeauty,i love you,nature,
Unsettled Sea Rhymenature,sea,sky,
The Dark Side of Canada Free versehow i feel,
O, the Murmuring Waves Versespiritual,
As Cold Sudden Rain Haikulove,nature,
I Am Every Woman Biobeauty,deep,emotions,enco
You Foolishly Once Thought You Had It Bad: a Collaboration Rhymedream,fear,
On the Muzzle of the Cat- In My Bed Lying, Quatraincat,
A World of Boundless Black Sonnetemotions,
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Fated Hell Monorhymedeath,destiny,evil,
Christmas Time Rhymechildhood,christmas,night
I Wanted To Lyricfather,feelings,forgivene
Collateral Damage Dramatic Monologuecharacter,courage,freedom
In the Dead of Night Free verseflower,romantic,sensual,s
A Tear-Ful Conversation With My Daughter Free versei love you,i miss you,mot
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Absinthe Leaves Ekphrasisautumn,imagery,sky,tree,
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In Midst of Life - Fragility of Dreams Quatrainassonance,death,
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46 Free versebereavement,brother,love,
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Morning Cues Versebeautiful,
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Book: Reflection on the Important Things