Not everything is as it seems and not everything seems as it is…
Let’s look at the example of any famous player now playing in the World Cup of Soccer. We see his incredible ability to dominate and control the ball by making precise passes as they advance and, of course, scoring spectacular goals which cause the crowd to go wild. 
But, do we know:
Where he comes from?
Who helped him along the way?
How he acquired the great ability which now seems to come so easily?
Life isn’t a picture with no history, rather part of a process which creates our own story over time. The history of a superstar, who now earns so much money and has worldwide fame, can be one of many different tales.
Perhaps his is the story of a boy born in a poor neighborhood who played with a ball made from rags. Maybe he didn’t have much raw talent but with tenacity and perseverance was able to get good enough to become known, and fortunate enough to play with a local team where he then showcased his talent creating greater opportunity.
Or, perhaps his is the story of someone who did have great innate ability but who instead found someone along the way who recognized his talent and then proceeded to help him refine and define it. Though his path to stardom may have been more direct, it is no less dramatic due perhaps to his own tremendous expectations, as well as those of others to achieve success.
Each may be at the height of his career and ready for more, or perhaps, on his last legs unable to give anymore. Regardless of each situation, it is difficult to know the road traveled by each to play in the World Cup. We can only imagine the tears which have been shed in valiant effort and the happiness which has been born through each of his life experiences which have led him to where he is now.
We should not praise, honor, judge or criticize anybody solely for where they are right now. We all have a story to tell and a history which has been written. We never know the rivers someone has had to cross or the battles they have had to fight to attain the little or much they have right now.
There are many similar roads to be taken though more important than the one we take is the attitude with which we take it. While there are certainly circumstances which go beyond our grasp, ultimately we are the ones who decide what to do with each incident.
We can regret our lousy luck and perish in our own pity party or rise and rally and continue to fight with all our might for what we believe is right. Let’s avoid painting a picture full of terror and strife, but instead strive to make one bursting with color and life.
∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL III 36