何ぺージも費やして　つづられた僕らの気分
どうしてか一行の　空白を埋められない
押花のしおりはさんで 君と転がす使い捨ての自転車
忘れかけのレンガを　積み上げた場所に行こう
海を見渡す坂を駆けのばって
こわいくらいに青い空と
右手にサイダー　左手はずっと君をさがしている
そうやって今は僕の方へ 問いつめることもなくて
まだ二人はすぐそこに居るのに
どうかまた会えますように
なんて　どうかしてるみたい

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13128701

“The difference is simply that high achievers practise for more hours. Further research has shown that when students seem to possess a particular gift, it is often because they have been given extra tuition at home by their parents.”

I’m glad a major news agency is finally giving credence to something I’ve known for a considerable amount of time. Much trial and error on my part went into the gargantuan task of attainment of fluency in Japanese, and after a few years it finally clicked; achievement (or that coveted grade or desired skill) is purely based on the amount of effort/hours one puts in. Skill doesn’t come into the equation whatsoever. Us homo sapiens are on a completely level playing field, and we all start life at point zero. The orthodox mindset that we all have a certain ‘talent’ which defines our academic achievements is complete and utter nonsense, and is  probably the most valuable lesson I’ve learned in my short time on this earth. Let me reiterate: achievement is not hereditary, it’s purely based on effort.

In fact, recent studies about skill reveal that it’s based on a dielectic material known as myelin.

For more information on the studies of myelin, its effects, and some tangible examples of its magic at work, I highly recommend picking up a copy of “The Talent Code”, by Daniel Coyle.