Summary: <p>Listen to episode 179 of the Inspirational Living podcast: Your Hidden Talents | Best Commencement Addresses/Speeches. Adapted from The College and The Higher Life by Elmer Hewitt Capen.</p><br> <p><strong>Inspirational Podcast Excerpt</strong>: <em>Every individual should look within and around. You should make an inventory of what you have, and consider how the things in your possession are related to the things you would wish to acquire — how being and doing are parts of the same abiding reality and are to be present in every achievement. Thus, and thus only, can you properly interpret the everlasting commands of your soul.</em></p><br> <p><em> Let me remind you that your talent, your endowment of intellect and moral perception, is a gift. This is what you brought with you into the world. It affords no ground for vanity, nor even of self-congratulation. You have no more right to pride yourself upon it than people have to pride themselves upon inherited wealth. </em></p><br> <p><em>It should rather make you humble; though of course it may invite to gratitude. It may make you thankful that you are thus gifted and set apart. But even though you may be conscious of unusual power and means of accomplishment, it affords no reason for elation. It is only so much to start with.</em></p><br> <p><strong>Related Motivational Podcasts</strong>:</p><br> <p><a title="Personal Mission Statements" href="http://podcast.livinghour.org/e/personal-mission-statements-the-aim-of-life/">The Aim of Life</a></p><br> <p><a title="How to Be Successful" href="http://podcast.livinghour.org/e/the-secret-of-life-elbert-hubbard/">The Secret of Life & My Success</a></p>
