Mafted

“they” said wasted talent…We saying what a projection.

—Jig3125

“Wasted talent.”

It’s a phrase thrown around so casually, as if someone else’s journey can be summarized in two words.

What if that judgment says more about the speaker than the person they’re describing?

Perhaps “wasted talent” is sometimes another way of saying,

“You didn’t become what I imagined you would.”

That’s not an observation.

That’s a projection.

Talent doesn’t always arrive on a stage.

It isn’t always framed on a wall.

It doesn’t need an audience to exist.

Sometimes talent is quiet.

Sometimes it changes direction.

Who decides when it’s wasted?

Who decides what success looks like?

Maybe the painter became a teacher.

Maybe the musician became a father.

Maybe the writer filled notebooks no one has ever read.

The world is quick to label.

Slow to understand.

Perhaps the greatest talent is refusing to let someone else’s expectations become your definition.

“they” said, wasted talent.

We saying …