Did you hear about the family who found a priceless Chinese vase in their house? It had apparently been in the family for several decades. Possibly given by an eccentric relation who had a passion for exotic travel.
When I read the story I could not help but feel extreme sadness for the couple who sold the masterpiece.
On the surface the couple that sold it have made around £30 million after taxes, they have avoided paying inheritance tax (presumably their children wont) the auction house made a tidy sum in commission, the secret Chinese buyer has purchased a bit of his heritage and the tax man has a few million to plug the deficit. Win, Win, Win. Where’s the bad news here? You may ask.
The family had always had an inkling that there was some value in the vase, around 40 years ago the vase was valued by the predecessor of ‘Antiques Road show’ and was considered to be a fake by the ‘experts’. They took it home, no doubt dejected that their funny little vase was not what they thought or hoped it was. It returned to it’s rightful place in their home on a wobbly bookcase, until they eventually died. Their children organised for a house clearance and fortunately a clever and reputable company took over and the drama unfurled.
I wonder how many money worries that family had over the last 70 odd years, I wonder how many opportunities could have been grasped with the injection of cash the sale of the vase could have given them, 40, 30 or even 10 years ago, Apparently the woman seller, had to take a moment, ‘Del boy style’ to take it all in, of course, wouldn’t you? She said, she wished this had all happened 30 years before. Of course she did; that’s why it’s sad.
This got me thinking about people and the many metaphorical ‘vases’ and real gifts that lay locked inside an individual. How many people are sitting on golden opportunities and fabulous untapped genius. Just because ‘others’ don’t have the foresight or the ability to have recognised the brilliance, they keep it hidden away, too shy to really fulfil their potential. Thomas Edison, the inventor of modern communications said “If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves” ‘Here, Here’ !
I urge you not to keep your precious talents and dreams locked away, don’t listen to others who say you’re not ‘worth it’ have a dream, hold on to it and check it in now! Don’t be like the sad vase sellers and realise too late when your options and choices are limited.
Emma Ranson Bellamy 