Cue the stirring Michael W. Smith track!

Yes, you stand alone on a mountain peak, the wind blowing through your hair as
you finally realize your "special purpose"!

"I have one!"

"You do?"

OK, before THAT reference comes to you, let's move on.

One of the first things that I talk about with new clients looking to build a
ministry with their music, is "What makes you different"? What is your special
something else that only YOU have through the various things that have happened
to you in your life?"

You know, we all like to think we are special. That our way of playing the
guitar, singing, painting, acting, writing, tap dancing, or pottery making is
special, just because we bother to do it.

But when you get to a place like Nashville, where it's ALL about music and using
your talent, you start to see that just having an ability is not enough.

You have to stand out.

And what makes you stand out isn't always being more talented, pretty, or
"better" than the next person.

I was a Teenage Songwriter. Sounds like a bad 50's movie I know. But writing
songs that I thought were pretty cool, and made the girls swoon, was the first
time I thought I might have something kind of special.

So, after 5-6 years of doing this, people at my church or school started to
notice. They all said, "you need to get published" (as if they knew what that
even meant!) And from time to time, someone would have a "friend" in Nashville
that they would set me up to see.

At that time, Nashville was a lot more closed doors than it is now.

I would come down here and meet someone who really didn't want me infringing on
their turf, but would nicely tell me that my stuff wasn't commercial enough.

And even though they were probably right, I still went home crushed and
disappointed.

My dream of being a published songwriter (as if "I" knew what that even meant!)
stopped dead in it's tracks.

But being the Creative Soul I am, I kept at it through all those failed trips to
see people who would tell me I wasn't what Nashville or the future of music was
looking for (as if they...well, you know)

Eventually I found my own path. I realized how much I like to make recordings
and that all those years of making my own demos and publicity kits had prepared
me pretty well for becoming a music and media producer.

God had a better (and bigger idea) than me. He DID know what it all meant.

He knew that my "special something" was larger than just being a songwriter or
keyboard player. He knew a grander plan, that took 20 years.

Now you may be saying, "but I don't want to wait 20 years!"

To that I say, "Too bad, so sad."

You don't get a free "wisdom" chip just because you want it. You don't get
success without hard work, patience, or alot of luck (most likely all three).

But here is something I wish I'd known 20 years ago: All the hard work,
practice, networking, reading, studying, dreaming, writing, and did I mention
practice? It was all part of any success I may have had or have now. None of it
was wasted or unnecessary.

The one thing I DO know that you can apply right now is that your LIFE is what
dictates your special something, unique ministry, and direction. The experiences
that are unique to YOU are how you know what God has for you to speak, sing,
paint, dance, or minister about.

The difference between you and everyone else, is...YOU!

That may seem plain and like some Tony Robbins self help mantra, but it's the
answer that's right under our nose all the time.

I fight all the time that I'm not a good enough player to be a jazz musician in
the commercial jazz world, but when (in addition to being a keyboard player) you
add my production skills, writing skills, experience, vocals, ability to pick
and work with great musicians, life experience, etc., I am a unique artist.

Being something special is a sum of ALL your parts, not just the one thing you
feel you don't do well.

Sure you can work on the things you don't do as well as you'd like. But your
place in the creative world is based more on what you have to say, how all your
skills fit together, and the ability to talk about things that have happened to
you to people who need help getting through the same thing.

Now, you may already know your place in the creative world. You know your
special something and you're working it. Maybe even you're getting a little
tired of it. But it may be just a step on the ladder of what God has for your
NEXT dream. And just like all the other steps it took to get here, this is just
another brick in the wall.

So take heart, and know that God has a path for you. A unique ministry because
YOU are unique.

YOU have a special creative place in this world.

You may not find it on a mountain top. The wind may not be blowing through your
hair when you find it. And a slightly whiney voice may not be singing an anthem.

But take stock of your ALL your talents, life experiences, and sprinkle in your
dreams, and you can begin to see your unique creative place in this world.

"Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something
distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done." - Dr
Benjamin E. Mays

Have a great week!

EC
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Eric Copeland is a unique guy with a unique company called Creative Soul. All
they do is help other people find their uniqueness and use it uniquely. OK,
enough of that. Check out http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com for more info on how
to discover, grow, and use your special creative talents.