Red velvet is a beautiful cake that tastes of chocolate and looks of cranberries. A beautiful masterpiece (which surprisingly didn't stain my carpet the other day when a cupcake literally was squished right into it.) It's a gorgeous thing to take anywhere (unless it's a squished cupcake).

So, when I went to a talent show recently and saw this gorgeous mound of goodness staring at me, I couldn't resist taking a little, and if I could have: a lot. There just wasn't room on my plate (it was at the end of the line, see.) I popped it in my wanting mouth and was 100 percent satisfied. "Beauty and the Taste" both won this time. Red Velvet Cheese Ball.

It all got started with a talent show that was put on in my neighborhood. Women brought all sorts of things to display: from quilts they had made, to drawings they'd done, to desserts they had made. There was also an actual show part. It was so fun to see all the varieties of talent. If you think you don't have one, I'm here to tell you it's not true. Everyone is given and can develop talents. Even if it is being friendly to those around you. There was yoga, story-telling, blowing up balloons and tossing them in the audience, there was tons! It was a blast.

The fact that you're reading this DVO article tells me you probably have an interest in cooking, or reading, or something. This can be a talent. If you know how to cook, that's a talent. Some people can't read a recipe. It's something you have to develop.

So the point of me writing this to you today is not only to give you a yummy recipe, but to help you know that you are important, and that you can contribute to this world! If it's not too bold of me too ask, I want you to try writing some things down right now that you're good at. And I think it's phony-baloney if you think you're not! I'm willing to say with 100 percent surety that you are good at something! That's a talent. A reminder: You don't have to be perfect at something to have it be a talent. No one is perfect.

It could be:

•   Smiling
•   Shaking Hands
•   Giving a Hug (I know some people who can give great, enveloping, "I care about you" hugs)
•   Cooking
•   Reading
•   Music
•   Telling Stories
•   Exercising
•   Eating well
•   Being a Mommy
•   Being a Daddy
•   Being a Grandparent
•   Being a brother/sister
•   Being a son/daughter
•   Drawing
•   INFINTELY MORE...

Can you add to the list? Help others know they have talent, too!

I truly wish you all knew how special you are. Everyone was given something to better this world. If you haven't discovered it yet, I encourage you to reflect and think what it is you can do. Being the best "you" will help you and everyone around you. "You" was used a lot, but does that help you see how important YOU are? Constantly encourage. Never put down. By lifting others up, you lift yourself, too.