Breast Your Cards

I grew up in a family of card players. On any weekend evening there was usually one card game or another going on in the Slepitza household. Friends often dropped by for an evening of conversation and competition. At the table, adults and children could kibitz almost as equals, giving and getting in good measure. I learned a lot about others around that family card game. While the competition could be intense when we played, it was always fair. My mom had a phrase, “Breast your cards,” to inform one that his/her hand was exposed for all to see and then use to their advantage. I think this was great advice when it came to card playing it’s more fun when one must rely on one’s wit and acumen to succeed, but such advice may not be as helpful in a community that relies on the talents of its members.

It has been my experience that too often community members play the “cards” of their talents too close to their vests, holding them and offering them only when the magic phrase is uttered. Sometimes they keep them breasted, wishing to be asked and then waiting in silence for such a request. In either case, it’s too easy for these talents to go unused. At other times, we hold our cards close, planning to reveal them later at just the perfect time. We wait for the moment of the greatest impact or the best opportunity, only to discover how easy it is for these talents to never be tapped at all.

I think around the campus, we are a much better place when we share our gifts and talents freely. I hope all of the Avila community feels their talents are essential to our success and are willing to share those talents openly. Let’s leave playing our cards close to our chests for card playing and share freely of our talents and ideas with each other.