Never judge people on their appearance...

[Trek420]

you have to have some inborn talent to be a truly great singer or painter or whatever. But it's only hard work that polishes and hones an inborn talent to genius.

But but but .... if we "preach" (disclosure here I am just using the word and not putting this on any religion or pulpit, ok?) that hard work, preparation, study, practice and dedication to honing ones craft is the path to success and mastery of a skill but but but that means taking responsibility for our own failures or lack of success. We can't have that

Well (Trek puts hands on hips and stamps her feet) "I could do the Deathride too .... but I didn't train And I draw like a house on fire, I could put together a book like Spazzdog did but I haven't been willing to work on my art every day like she does ... and and I have a pretty good ear and the music genes, I could play music like BSG but I don't practice at all ...

If we make it seem the "overnight sensation" did not train and practice for years to only the enjoyment of her village and her cat, that fame and fortune miraculously happened then we can feel "that could be me. I sing in the shower pretty good. I could just walk out on stage and knock one out of the park"

We as a culture adore hearing about the player cut from the college team, working at Home Depot who tries out for a walk on position and joins the pro team. What we don't want to hear about is the training night and day before and after work to stay in shape. That would spoil the dream of "that could be me, I play ball pretty good"

Well, no, that could not be you. unless you do the work, then luck perhaps a higher power of your choosing is involved.