When I was in Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago, I walked past a man who was playing a great beat with empty paint containers, cardboard boxes and metal scraps. This man drew a crowd with his big smile and infectious drumbeat. I enjoyed the music, but didn’t think too much of it- that is, until I was back home in NYC and found another man playing music with similar “instruments”- a plastic box, a metal container and an small, empty gas tank.

This time, I stopped to take in the lesson that I didn’t quite catch the first time around. Yes, both of these musicians played great beats. But what struck me even more than that was how they played those beats. How did they know that those containers, boxes and metal scraps would produce sounds that blended together so well?

As I watched the second musician in NYC, I was in awe of his ability use old, discarded materials to play music that sounded as rich as the music I’ve heard others play on drum sets worth thousands of dollars. There he was, making beautiful beats on what most people perceived as junk.

For each of us, there exists some area in which we see possibilities that most others just don’t see right away.It starts with the urge to make something beautiful out of what everyone else labels as quotidian. That’s exactly what those who have made history did- they were able to spot the extraordinary in the ordinary, and then create something out of nothing- despite all of the people who said it couldn’t or shouldn’t be done along the way. 

The musicians are a perfect example- they spotted the extraordinary in the ordinary; when everyone else saw empty containers, they saw beautiful music.

So, what’s your version of the empty container? What can you see that others cannot? Perhaps you can catch errors in an article that no one else does (I’m sure you’re even finding a few in mine!). Or, maybe it’s the ability to sense true emotion in others- even if they are hiding it really well. Maybe you can create a hit song from a basic beat, or look at an empty canvas and see a future masterpiece. 

Whatever it is, find the area in life where you see things that others just don’t see. And then create what you envision- no matter who tells you that it isn’t worthwhile or possible. Create what other people just don’t see yet. There’s no doubt about it- you will leave and indelible mark on this world when you do.