The Human Factor

[Guest guest]

Many years ago Mel and I had a discussion via email that went something like

this: He was basically chastising me about my passion and refusal to entertain

aging as an excuse for declining performance. Essentially I agreed with him

that there was an age when that was possible but I was not contemplating that

soon. (I was in my early fifty's then). Mel who had suffered serious health

problems was basically arguing from a scientific point of view and I from

nothing but passion.

Of course he was right but I have often thought about the intangible human

factor that we can not measure, quantify or even use in our calculations. I

think we all will attest to its existence and to its value. How many times do

we witness an athlete or team of athletes rise above their abilities and defeat

a superior competitor. We chalk it up to what we call heart, human spirit,

guts, etc., etc.

As many brilliant and experienced people on this list as we have, it seems

someone might want to discuss the value of this X-factor in human performance.

I came across this from a friend the other day and this young boy sums it up for

me quite well. Maybe you can relate also:

On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League base ball game

that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on

the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was.

" We're behind 14 to nothing, " he answered with a smile.

" Really, " I said. " I have to say you don't look very discouraged. "

" Discouraged? " , the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face...

" Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet. "

I wish Mel were here so I could ask how to account for that. In the scheme of

things this human attitude or group of attitudes is so fundamental to our

success, and to our survival. Should we not at least be able to account for it?

Eddie White

Blue Springs, Mo.