Two events happened in second grade that led me to believe that we all have innate abilities—abilities it seems we are born with. The first event took place after an art assignment. Our whole class, including our teacher, recognized that our classmate Paul could draw like an adult artist! The second event took place during a recess. My friend Brad impressed us all when he climbed to the top of the jungle gym on our playground and stood up with no hands. I couldn’t believe how brave he was—and how relaxed he seemed. Later, when we were teenagers, Brad awed us all again by riding his motorcycle down the street standing on the seat with no hands!
For some reason—probably because I believed people were all born with their own, unique sets of talents and skills—I wasn’t a jealous person. At times I wished I had a particular talent, but I never wished another person didn’t have it. As a result of that trait, I derived a tremendous amount of joy in seeing others around me discover, develop, and share their talents and abilities. And I discovered a powerful truth. Whenever I complimented someone on their skill and ability, I noticed how happy it seemed to make them. What’s more, such acts made me happy too—they multiplied my joy!
While I was enjoying the talents of others, I was also discovering and developing my own. I really enjoyed experiencing what I later discovered one of my favorite thinkers, Rumi, had eloquently put into words: “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.” I was also discovering something that I sensed made me different from many around me. While some of my friends were really interested in one or a few things, I was interested in just about everything! (In a world where specialization is preached, it took me many years to be completely OK with my multi-faceted orientation and approach towards life). Now, I am thankful I listened to my heart and endeavored to become my best, unique self.
I was a young adult when people started calling me a “Renaissance man.” I remember having to look up the term in a dictionary. When I did, it humbled me deeply. Today, some know me as a speaker, others know me as an artist, or a musician, or a mechanic, or a mineral collector, or an astronomer, etc. And, yes, I am all of those things—and more.
Now, I have artist friends who are “better” than me. I recently took a class from one—my friend Lester. I have musician friends who are “better” than me. I just attended a gig where my friend Michael played his new compositions. I could certainly go on… The point is that I love celebrating the accomplishments of my friends—doing so brings me a lot of joy! And all the while, I am happy that I chose to be “Mark Swain”—and didn’t specialize in one area or endeavor to make myself over in someone else’s image.
My life’s work is encouraging people to develop their unique greatness—whatever it may consist of—and shine it brightly into the world!