Colin, we see in athletics all the time -- people who are exceptionally gifted, but the gifted often don't work at it, and never achieve their potential. Then there are the guys who seem to have no athletic gifts, work at it and have great careers. Then there are the truly exceptional -- Ted Williams, for example -- who both have extraordinary ability, and work hard at developing their skill. One of Williams great attributes was exceptional eyesight. He could do something very few major league hitters could do -- see the rotation of the ball, pick up the spin and know the pitch. Hank Aaron had exceptionally strong and quick wrists. These are not things you can practice. Either you're born with those attributes, or you're not.
Being born with something exceptional doesn't let you off the hook for developing what you have. You can have great wrists, great eyes and all the right muscles and still be a lousy hitter.
But if you don't have great eyes and the right physical strength, you'll never be a good hitter.
I know. I tried.
I practiced a lot, but to no avail. There reached a point where I just couldn't pick up a curve ball and didn't have the bad speed to catch up with anything over 70 mph.
There's been only few dozen people, or less, in the history of baseball who could hit like Ted Williams. Tim Flannary was one of the hardest working players in baseball during his time, but he never became Ted Williams.
We've all known people who seemed exceptionally smart, but dumb at life.
Developing your "attribute" is a personal choice thing, and everybody has some varying degree of attribute to develop. But there are really only a few who are blessed with exceptional ability.
There aren't that many Marilyn Monroes or Cary Grants in the world.
BTW: Why didn't I pick wealth? Because I believe that if you have an exceptional mind, or an exceptional talent, for example, you can work and turn that gift into great wealth.
Every one of those attributes are worthless without the wisdom to apply them in a manner that has a positive impact on your world and your fellow man. Wisdom is the key to utilizing any attribute to it's fullest.
There are several other attributes which could be put on the list, that definately can provide someone an edge -- say great charm, eloquence, spiritual depth, business acumen, wisdom, a 6th sense, and more.
But we felt the list provided a good foundation and one could argue about the others.
Brains is not an implication of the grey matter itself, the attribute of brains is implied to be "smart". I've known a lot of people who are considered brilliant but exercise no wisdom, and people considered less than average with infinite wisdom.
I guess I will answer with a
I guess I will answer with a classic movie clip :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RjXY_-PUbo&NR=1
Just a thought,the list is
Just a thought,the list is nice but I'm surprised the greatest attribute of all is missing because without it the others mean nothing-----Health?
FYI---After re-reading the above, my pick was Brains in hopes that my next posting will be more meaningful :)
Good point, Bernie. Let's
Good point, Bernie. Let's assume your health is A-1 and the attribute is something "above and beyond" the norm.
You aren't 'blessed' with
You aren't 'blessed' with those 'attributes' - they are skills - you can learn how and work to have all of them.
Colin, we see in athletics
Colin, we see in athletics all the time -- people who are exceptionally gifted, but the gifted often don't work at it, and never achieve their potential. Then there are the guys who seem to have no athletic gifts, work at it and have great careers. Then there are the truly exceptional -- Ted Williams, for example -- who both have extraordinary ability, and work hard at developing their skill. One of Williams great attributes was exceptional eyesight. He could do something very few major league hitters could do -- see the rotation of the ball, pick up the spin and know the pitch. Hank Aaron had exceptionally strong and quick wrists. These are not things you can practice. Either you're born with those attributes, or you're not.
Being born with something exceptional doesn't let you off the hook for developing what you have. You can have great wrists, great eyes and all the right muscles and still be a lousy hitter.
But if you don't have great eyes and the right physical strength, you'll never be a good hitter.
I know. I tried.
I practiced a lot, but to no avail. There reached a point where I just couldn't pick up a curve ball and didn't have the bad speed to catch up with anything over 70 mph.
There's been only few dozen people, or less, in the history of baseball who could hit like Ted Williams. Tim Flannary was one of the hardest working players in baseball during his time, but he never became Ted Williams.
We've all known people who seemed exceptionally smart, but dumb at life.
Developing your "attribute" is a personal choice thing, and everybody has some varying degree of attribute to develop. But there are really only a few who are blessed with exceptional ability.
There aren't that many Marilyn Monroes or Cary Grants in the world.
BTW: Why didn't I pick wealth? Because I believe that if you have an exceptional mind, or an exceptional talent, for example, you can work and turn that gift into great wealth.
Every one of those attributes
Every one of those attributes are worthless without the wisdom to apply them in a manner that has a positive impact on your world and your fellow man. Wisdom is the key to utilizing any attribute to it's fullest.
Jeff, I agree Wisdom is
Jeff, I agree Wisdom is indeed a great attribute but without Brains it would be nonexistent.
There are several other
There are several other attributes which could be put on the list, that definately can provide someone an edge -- say great charm, eloquence, spiritual depth, business acumen, wisdom, a 6th sense, and more.
But we felt the list provided a good foundation and one could argue about the others.
Brains is not an implication
Brains is not an implication of the grey matter itself, the attribute of brains is implied to be "smart". I've known a lot of people who are considered brilliant but exercise no wisdom, and people considered less than average with infinite wisdom.
Sorry, too much beer last
Sorry, too much beer last night.
I would've chosen the word
I would've chosen the word "intelligence" over "brains," but I think people get the idea.