I went to my local library today to find a book on emotions, logic, and the human brain. I am indulging into my obsession on how the brain and emotions work again. On the way out the door, I noticed a book called “America Needs Talent” on the new book shelf and stopped to read the cover blurb. “Talent” is the latest buzz word the staffing industry uses to describe current and potential employees. I’m sure the industry intends the word to be used in a positive way. Hiring people for their talents, for the valuable assets and skills they possess. I see it as yet another way we depersonalize human beings. “Talent” reduces them to only what makes them valuable to an employer in a capitalistic society, the parts of an individual they can buy and sell. If an employee doesn’t have the talent they are looking for, they are useless as a potential employee to the company, and possibly as a consumer also. Yes, I feel a rant coming on.
While I was making idle chit-chat with the woman who checked out the book, I made a comment about “talent” being another way we depersonalize people. She looked at me strangely. I asked her if she’d noticed the trend. She frowned and said no. A little surprised, I explained further that the use of the word talent was another way we dehumanized people, made them feel less than human, less valuable. Her face brightened, as an awareness crept across her face. “Oh!”, she exclaimed. “I thought you said deep personalizing!”
Deep personalizing. What a lovely antithesis to depersonalizing. And all because either I mumble when I talk, or she heard something she wanted to hear. Deep personalizing.
I believe the Universe offers us gifts if we are aware enough to notice and receive. Deep personalizing was mine today. I’m not sure where I will take this thought. But I sense within it is an important concept toward helping people see each other as human beings and themselves as valuable and whole. Even the words themselves resonate within me. Deep personalizing. Deeply personal. Deeply and joyously human.
May you have a blessed and deeply personalizing day!