40+FAB Blog

Diamond in the rough

As I watched the Disney cartoon Aladdin with my sons for the umpteenth time, I was again intrigued by the phrase used to describe the one that could handle the lamp – the diamond in the rough.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes a diamond in the rough as one having exceptional qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish. It made me realise that just like Aladdin, we are all a diamond in the rough in one way or another.

I have met gifted persons with so much talent yet they lack the refinement of social interaction, education, or even manners. I had a brilliant tailor way back in the day who had people literally line up outside his shop to have thier clothes made. I remember it took him almost 3 months to sew a pair of trousers for me when he originally promised 2 weeks. Needless to say, I never went back to him again. He was an exceptional talent, but lacked the education and business acumen to capitalise on his customer base.

How many people have you met and thought, “Wow! What a talent! If only they could be a bit more…” But more importantly though, how many people have met you and thought the same thing?

It is time to pay a bit more attention to the things that will refine us and allow the magnitude of our talents to be served up by our well polished self.