ANATOMY OF A SUPERSTAR

April 2, 2016

Have you ever met someone that should impress you, and yet they don't? Every day?

There was a day and time when people in high places impressed me. I now know how often they are simply ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I recall incidentally chatting with a governor's wife at a work related gathering (I won't reveal which First Lady). She mentioned dashing to the event and shared that she was in such a hurry to get there that she, "ran by The Mansion and didn't even have time to go to the restroom." Okay. Ordinary people. I'm not sure Lady Grantham would have been so candid. Downton was a different day and time.

The Oscars, Grammys, and multiplicity of well deserved recognition and awards are regularly doled out because ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things. Most can be attributed to "blood, sweat, and tears."

In Malcom Gladwell's book, Outliers: The Story of Success, he points to the '10, 000-Hour Rule' This recently refuted belief held that what we perceive as natural born talent is often ordinary ability applied x 10,000 hours. That in and of itself merits recognition. Often the reason we look up to those in high places are the hours invested in their accomplishments--their courage, effort, discipline and sacrifice. Sadly, no matter how many hours Clyde Courtwright sang in the church choir, he would never be able to sing on pitch. God rest his soul, we loved him all the same. A modicum of talent helps.

Other abilities are more difficult to explain--prodigies and savants, as in the movie Rain Man.

It's not entirely surprising that with age, I'm less impressed by accomplishments and more impressed by the world around us-- erupting volcanoes, breaching whales, spectacular displays of Spring in bloom. Although, when it's all said and done, I will always stand in awe of Olympic runners--and the 1973 Triple Crown Winner.

Secretariat image by Hawaii.Hawaii.edu

After winning the Derby and the Preakness, few thought Secretariat had the endurance to win the Belmont Stakes. Secretariat and his closest rival, Sham, set an early fast pace in the race. At the six-furlong mark, Sham began to tire, while 'Big Red' carried on. It was thrilling to watch. As the CBS announcer, Chic Anderson described it, he was "moving like a tremendous machine!"

Secretariat widened the lead, winning the race by 31 lengths! His record still stands for the fastest in history 1.5 miles on dirt. Impressed is not the word. Awe-inspired, uplifted!

It was later discovered that Secretariat had a heart 2-3 times the size of the average horse. Yes, perhaps this best explains what we admire the most--extraordinary heart. Clyde Courtwright sang with gusto, with all his heart. It was music to our ears.

[Carolyn Fjeran, LowTide explorer/reflective writer; horticulturist & gardener; former writer for Cooperative Extension Service, Master Gardeners and The Newnan Times Herald]