Free-hand writing

(In this passage, read skill in the generic sense)

I just have this feeling that, it is really not difficult to gain a skill. Only thing one needs to gain a skill is the motivation and hard-work. I think all men(and women) are born with equal skill, it is the exposure and the interest that really separates them.
For example, I once read an extra-ordinary interview with Gary Sobers(West Indies all-rounder). He once said in an interview that he got to see some extra-ordinary talents i.e better players than him in the islands and considering that Gary himself made this point makes it more astounding to read, but quite tragically Gary Sobers said none of those folks really got to represent Windies or shine like him. That interview made a fine reading.

I guess, there is an inherent difference between acquired and a natural skill. Natural skill has its pitfalls i.e you think you are good and you will be the best in a small-group and there comes the great recognition inside the group, but some rude shock awaits you when you find folks who are better than you in that skill. And the wall would seem to be closing on you from all directions. And it is quite a bad feeling and you will feel like calling it quits. Cause you are totally dependent on the natural skill. And natural skill has its limitations cause you cant improvise beyond a certain point.
And there comes the "acquired" skill. Acquired skill has no borders as I see, cause you are open to get snubbed all the while and learn more in this process. Acquired skill's advantage is that you start from nowhere, while the naturally skilled person is already moulded and thus, difficult to get out of that moulded-shape.

Here an interesting question arises, which is - "is natural skill an acquired skill?"
Guess, it s true.
Considering the fact that nothing is really natural/original. One acquires even the basic skills via copy/inspiration based on an existing skill. But what differentiates the natural skill to an acquired skill is in the mind.

Once you feel your skill is natural i.e you start becoming loyal to it and you stop learning or get drubbed by others and thus, you would stop learning/growing.
The moment you feel you are in the zenith, the learning stops and so does the growth.

Now, arises another interesting question, "does Federer or Tiger Woods or Sachin survive with their natural talents?". I think "no" is the answer. It is truly amazing to see Federer or Tiger or Sachin going on-and-on inspite of breaking any existing record. I guess, these folks would have to create their own demons or competitors to keep themselves competitive.

This thought of creating ones demon sounds like 1984 in a way. In 1984, the government or the big brother wants its citizens to work/grow and thus creates a mythical demon called "enemy state". The citizens listen to the big-brother and do as he says i.e they wage war towards the enemy state. Now, had there been no enemey state the citizens are bound to divert their interests on something else and if these citizens start thinking on their own the position of the big-brother goes for a toss. Thus, creating an artificial enemy helps the cause i.e to keep the status-quo up and running for some more time.

Guess, prodigal folks rely totally on the creation of "artifical barriers" or their own "big brothers a la 1984" in their heads and compete to achieve those "self-designed goals".

And, this cycle is definitely infinite i.e there is no peak in this quest. It goes on and on forever, cause there is no logical end to this search.

Guess, the solution lies in sticking to what one has(or rather relinquish) and not run after these artifical goals. This has got to be nirvana i.e this realisation.

Do we need nirvana or do we want to wantedly aim try to conquer the peak inspite of the knowing "what the logical end for this quest is" ?
Guess, the answer is there in the latter part of the above question i.e no matter what, we still try to invent a logical end to something which has no logical end.

Why do we do this i.e inspite of knowing the inevitable ?
hmm..
wish i know the answer...