Hemingway is 100% right. I like to think of it as virtuosity: 1. a consummate master of musical technique and artistry 2. a person who has a masterly or dazzling skill or technique in any field of activity 3. a connoisseur, dilettante, or collector of art objects 4. obsolete a scholar or savant 5. ( modifier ) showing masterly skill or brilliance: a virtuoso performance
I like to think of it as doing the common uncommonly well. In gymnastics, it's how you go from the 9.7 to the 10.0. It's hard to define, but easy to recognize when you see it. Hemingway has it in his writing. It's something we should all strive for in our life pursuits. Crossfit is a great example. I even saw it last weekend in one round (her fifth) of one competitors wall ball shots for the fifth games workout. Every rep was exactly the same, at the perfect same rhythm. Her breathing wasn't labored. Her squat depth was perfect (not too much and not too little). Ball position was the same every time in front of her chin with her elbows down under. Her eyes never left the target and each throw hit at the EXACT same spot, exactly nine feet above the ground (the RX height). Her back arch never varied. It was AMAZING. Something so simple and yet profound.
I remember realizing as a third degree black belt that all the fancy kicks and strikes got me nowhere. The first three belts' forms where all you ever needed, and really white belt was the only necessary one. Until you do the white belt form with virtuosity, you aren't a real blackbelt. I never got there, and the drive from the organization to do more and fancier drove me away.
It's like Coach Danilov on the basketball court - fundamentals!
Barbs, keep striving for virtuosity, in everything you do. Guitar playing, crossfit, prayer, study, work, and everything else.
So, remind me next time when you write something so profound and I go to read it... to not be eating at the same time because breaking down and trying to chew just don't mix well. Love you; thanks so much for the words of encouragement and wisdom-- you're me hero =)
Hemingway is 100% right. I like to think of it as virtuosity:
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2. a person who has a masterly or dazzling skill or technique in any field of activity
3. a connoisseur, dilettante, or collector of art objects
4. obsolete a scholar or savant
5. ( modifier ) showing masterly skill or brilliance: a virtuoso performance
I like to think of it as doing the common uncommonly well. In gymnastics, it's how you go from the 9.7 to the 10.0. It's hard to define, but easy to recognize when you see it. Hemingway has it in his writing. It's something we should all strive for in our life pursuits. Crossfit is a great example. I even saw it last weekend in one round (her fifth) of one competitors wall ball shots for the fifth games workout. Every rep was exactly the same, at the perfect same rhythm. Her breathing wasn't labored. Her squat depth was perfect (not too much and not too little). Ball position was the same every time in front of her chin with her elbows down under. Her eyes never left the target and each throw hit at the EXACT same spot, exactly nine feet above the ground (the RX height). Her back arch never varied. It was AMAZING. Something so simple and yet profound.
I remember realizing as a third degree black belt that all the fancy kicks and strikes got me nowhere. The first three belts' forms where all you ever needed, and really white belt was the only necessary one. Until you do the white belt form with virtuosity, you aren't a real blackbelt. I never got there, and the drive from the organization to do more and fancier drove me away.
It's like Coach Danilov on the basketball court - fundamentals!
Barbs, keep striving for virtuosity, in everything you do. Guitar playing, crossfit, prayer, study, work, and everything else.
So, remind me next time when you write something so profound and I go to read it... to not be eating at the same time because breaking down and trying to chew just don't mix well. Love you; thanks so much for the words of encouragement and wisdom-- you're me hero =)
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