Colours to the Mast

I recently heard the phrase “nail your colours to the mast.”  It is a term born of the sailing age when ships often would show their colours to identify who they were.  This was particularly useful in battles when it was important to know who friend and enemy was.  This gave rise to some ships flying a particular colour to fool others into believing they were a friend, when they were not.  This gave rise to the saying often heard now how someone showed their true colours. Cindi Lauper who was a bit of a wild child to me sang some really pretty songs, and one of them was “true colours.”
It is a saying that strikes a chord with me as I am a great believer in someone showing their true colours and nailing their colours to the mast.  I find that someone’s true colours are not displayed in what they say, but what they do.  It seems to be incredibly easy to talk the talk but walking the walk is a different matter as is talking the talk and walking the walk.
I really have no problem with someone talking up something that might not be in evidence in the life at the particular time, if I see their aspiration is being matched by their walk at the time.  Stumbling does not matter to me.  Deception does.  Words without actions to me are meaningless.
In some of the roles I have had, I have been interested in people volunteering to do different things.  I am always thankful for willingness, but it never means I accept anyone for anything.  Some things for sure just need to be done and no one is likely to say pick me pick me!  For that sort of thing, many hands make lite work.  Like general clean up working bees.
But to me there are other roles where it is important to have the right person for the job.  Willingness alone can stop the dam or even worse damage the dam.  For me it is about willingness and passion.  Passion to me is obvious.  It usually means someone is doing something before they are doing it in an official capacity.
There may be things that hinder a person from doing their role, but something inside causes aspiration.  A hinderance is not a showstopper.  Someone may aspire to be a teacher but lack the qualifications or knowledge needed.  A willing, passionate person will get what is needed.  A friend of mine aspired to be a pilot.  At the time he did not have what he needed.  But he got it and became a pilot.
I know of people that were either leaders of gangs or in gangs.  They were passionate about their roles.  A change of heart and direction meant they were still leaders and still doing other things for the group.
I do reckon my role is an innate thing.  It may mean I do not fit into the box others want me to fit in or into the box they have for me.  I may be misunderstood or not be playing by the rules of others. I have heard of so many who’s future was seen to be in accounting or as a lawyer or doctor, but their passion was for music.  They were not content until in a roll that was them.
Cinderella wore a shoe that fitted.  A shoe does not fit does more harm than good.  But when the shoe fits, I can do heaps and am happy to nail my colours to the mast.