Five Things I’m Actually Pretty Good At

Some days it feels easier to list the things I need to work on, but today’s question nudges me in the other direction: What are five things you’re good at?

So here they are—five things I can acknowledge with both gratitude and maybe a little pride.

1. Writing

Whether it’s a blog post before sunrise, a bourbon review late at night, or chipping away at Tumbleweeds, writing is the steady pulse running through my days. It’s my favorite way to think out loud and make sense of things.

2. Singing

I don’t dust this one off as often as I used to, but it’s still there—tucked away until a church service, a wedding, or a quiet car ride demands it. And when it shows up, it brings a little joy with it.

3. Teaching

This is the big one. It’s not just a job; it’s a calling. I love the spark in a kid’s eyes when something finally clicks, or the laughter when a lesson turns unexpectedly fun. Teaching is where all my best parts show up at once.

4. Cooking

Give me a kitchen, a cast-iron skillet, and a little time, and I’m in my happy place. Whether it’s comfort food or something a bit more adventurous, I love making meals that make people smile.

5. Refereeing (or at least trying to)

Let’s be honest: this one’s a work in progress. But every whistle, every snap, every sideline sprint is another step toward being the kind of official I’d want working my game. I’m learning. I’m improving. And I’m having fun along the way.

About Douglas Blaine

Capnpen is a writer who was a newspaper and magazine journalist in a previous life. A college journalism major, he now works as an English teacher, but gets his writing fix by blogging about a variety of topics, including politics, religion, movies and television. When he's not working or blogging, Capnpen spends time with his family, plays a little golf (badly) and loves to learn about virtually anything.

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