talented?gifted?

someone quoted this over the net :

"talent is earned, it is not a gift"

this phrase totally caught me. many a time, we come the conclusion that we are simply "un-gifted" or untalented when we find it impossible to perform as brilliantly as the "gifted" ones. well, for example: watching jay chou's piano battle. we were totally awed by his skills and speed, and by how he managed to get over those quick passages so effortlessly. weren't we? but then, we tend to forget the hardship these people underwent before they reach to their current stage, how they dutifully practice the cherzny and hanon finger exercises, how they practice their scales to perfection. they earned their skills and fast fingers, through years of practice and perseverance.

once, a teacher lent me a book "dare to fail",and, i particularly remember this famous person (oh, whom i can't remember his name, sorry ><) who likened his success which we now see, to the tip of an iceberg whereas his failures and hardships, likened to the remaining 9/10 of the iceberg remains submerged under the water.

it's the problems and hardship that keep us strong and brings out the potential in ourselves. everyone is just as talented and gifted in their own ways.