--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You are here because you are talented,” I…" description: "\"“You are here because you are talented,” I said. “But that’s not enough. Between today and the time you walk between the brass anchors out front after ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fae/joy-e-dekok-71134_beauty_you-are-here-because-you-are-talented-i_1636644.jpg" --- # You are here because you are talented,” I said. “But… ![“You are here because you are talented,” I said. “But that’s not enough. Between today and the time you walk between the brass anchors out front after graduation, you have to find the courage to release your talent into the world. Not everyone will appreciate the beauty flowing out of your hearts…” quote by Joy E. DeKok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fae/joy-e-dekok-71134_beauty_you-are-here-because-you-are-talented-i_1636644.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fae/joy-e-dekok-71134_beauty_you-are-here-because-you-are-talented-i_1636644.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fae/joy-e-dekok-71134_beauty_you-are-here-because-you-are-talented-i_1636644.jpg) > ““You are here because you are talented,” I said. “But that’s not enough. Between today and the time you walk between the brass anchors out front after graduation, you have to find the courage to release your talent into the world. Not everyone will appreciate the beauty flowing out of your hearts, and that will hurt, but it’s also okay. You don’t need or want everyone’s acceptance or approval. You will be appreciated by the ones who matter most—the ones who will find something captivating and profound in your work. If you stay true to what you’ve been given to do, you will have lived well. I came here an unknown teacher. Today I am known by a few . . . by you. That is how I define success. You aren’t just enough, you are more than enough to keep my heart full and my creative juices flowing. I love you all dearly. I am grateful you are my students—the students of my heart.”” [Joy E. DeKok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-e-dekok/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Talent alone isn’t sufficient; courage to share it and acceptance of selective appreciation define success. **In simple terms:** You need courage to share your talent and accept that not everyone will approve. Key Takeaway Share your work boldly and value the approval of those who truly matter. Themes talent courage acceptance success authenticity Mood inspirational hopeful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - graduation ceremonies - artist workshops - creative mentorship Key Concepts self‑actualization creative expression Questions to Reflect On - What does success mean to you beyond external validation? - How can you stay true to your purpose? A Different Perspective Not everyone will appreciate your work, which can cause pain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appreciated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciated/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Creative juices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-juices/) [Define success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define-success/) [Graduation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graduation/) [Graduation Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graduation-courage-532339/) [Grateful Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful-students-532337/) [Stay true](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stay-true/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Talented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talented/) [Talented Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talented-said-532338/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [At first all I wanted to be was famous; then I realized that fame had nothing to do with talent. 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Even in pieces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-hardy/there-was-this-enormous-burst-of-sculptural-creative-juice-in-the/) [Hugh Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-hardy/) > [“Got to keep the creative juices flowing!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/got-to-keep-the-creative-juices-flowing/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“You will know what steps to take to move up in your life, what to do when conflict develops, and most important, how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-berg/you-will-know-what-steps-to-take-to-move-up-in-your-life-what-to-do/) [Art Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-berg/) > [“To help get your creative juices flowing, you might look online at lists of the "best taglines ever." Their branding ideas are genius and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/to-help-get-your-creative-juices-flowing-you-might-look-online-at/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [I feel extra ambitious when I am physically tired yet my creative juices keep me from resting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-dansky/i-feel-extra-ambitious-when-i-am-physically-tired-yet-my-creative/) [Martin Dansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-dansky/) > [“My creative juices only flow freely in the dark. My mind is like a mushroom: if you shine the light of the one true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-kidd/my-creative-juices-only-flow-freely-in-the-dark-my-mind-is-like-a/) [Jess Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-kidd/) > [If you want to be a writer, write. Write and write and write. If you stop, start again. Save everything that you write. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/if-you-want-to-be-a-writer-write-write-and-write-and-write-if-you/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) > [I do a lot of writing in my capacity as the creative director for a marketing agency. These days, though, I'm trying to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-doescher/i-do-a-lot-of-writing-in-my-capacity-as-the-creative-director-for-a/) [Ian Doescher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-doescher/) ## More by Joy E. DeKok > [“Never withhold your art from the world. It may hold the power to heal a heart or be the gift someone has been waiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-e-dekok/never-withhold-your-art-from-the-world-it-may-hold-the-power-to-heal/) [Joy E. DeKok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-e-dekok/) > [“We have to talk. Now.” His voice was stern and cold. My Cinderella moment turned Titanic in that second.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-e-dekok/we-have-to-talk-now-his-voice-was-stern-and-cold-my-cinderella-moment/) [Joy E. DeKok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-e-dekok/) > [“I told myself, “You have three options: someone is stalking you, you are insane, or both.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-e-dekok/i-told-myself-you-have-three-options-someone-is-stalking-you-you-are/) [Joy E. DeKok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-e-dekok/) [Explore all 4 Joy E. DeKok quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-e-dekok/) ## More Appreciated quotes > [Art is art when it is appreciated by someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isao-tomita/art-is-art-when-it-is-appreciated-by-someone/) [Isao Tomita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isao-tomita/) > [Relish love in your old age! 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Tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/you-know-your-sarcasm-isn-t-appreciated-right-now-i-ve-been-drugged/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The Spanish never appreciated me like the British.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seve-ballesteros/the-spanish-never-appreciated-me-like-the-british/) [Seve Ballesteros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seve-ballesteros/) > [What I appreciated was the fact that the script delved into how Australians were - and still are - condescended to by the English.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-rush/what-i-appreciated-was-the-fact-that-the-script-delved-into-how/) [Geoffrey Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-rush/) > [For once I feel appreciated and not someone to show off constantly smiling and knowing how amazing you are, I just want make you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-once-i-feel-appreciated-and-not-someone-to-show-off-constantly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I sometimes find that my family's emphasis on stories, characters, and art that appeals directly to children rather than over their heads to adults…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-berenstain/i-sometimes-find-that-my-family-s-emphasis-on-stories-characters-and/) [Mike Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-berenstain/) > [This element of surprise or mystery - the detective element as it is sometimes rather emptily called - is of great importance in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/this-element-of-surprise-or-mystery-the-detective-element-as-it-is/) [E. 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As an artist, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ne-yo/i-honestly-don-t-feel-that-it-s-my-music-that-s-under-appreciated-i/) [Ne-Yo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ne-yo/) > [You are a constant reminder of who I am and where I come from. A clear reflection of my personality and soul. Your presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tshepo-koos-maluleke/you-are-a-constant-reminder-of-who-i-am-and-where-i-come-from-a-clear/) [Tshepo Koos Maluleke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tshepo-koos-maluleke/) > [I would like to believe that all the roles I have portrayed so far - no matter how significant or insignificant they are -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shweta-menon/i-would-like-to-believe-that-all-the-roles-i-have-portrayed-so-far-no/) [Shweta Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shweta-menon/) > [I receive huge support from Irish and British sports fans alike and it is greatly appreciated. Likewise I feel I have a great affinity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-receive-huge-support-from-irish-and-british-sports-fans-alike-and/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) [Browse all 742 Appreciated quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciated/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You are here because you are talented,” I said. “But that’s not enough. Between today and the time you walk between the brass anchors out front after graduation, you have to find the courage to release your talent into the world. Not everyone will appreciate the beauty flowing out of your hearts, and that will hurt, but it’s also okay. You don’t need or want everyone’s acceptance or approval. You will be appreciated by the ones who matter most—the ones who will find something captivating and profound in your work. If you stay true to what you’ve been given to do, you will have lived well. 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