“What The Flying Tomato Can Teach You”

He’s the most unlikely Olympic superstar.

First, he doesn’t look like an athlete.

He looks, in fact, a bit geeky.

No bulging muscles.

Redheaded, rather than brown or blonde-haired and blue-eyed.

Pale skinned rather than dark and chiseled-looking.

The air more of a fun-loving slightly rebellious awkward teen rather than an intensely focused do-or-die competitor.

The only thing in Shaun White’s physical appearance, in fact, that makes him stand out is his long mane of shocking red hair.

But this unlikely gold-medal winner of the snowboard "Halfpipe," without question is the most unforgettable athlete at the Torino Winter Olympic Games. The wonderfully apt nickname, "The Flying Tomato," only deepens the impression . . . a name that is so apt, yet so contradictory to his perfect grace and power as a champion gymnastic snowboarder.

What can you and I learn from "Il Pomegrante Volante," as the Italians lovingly call Shaun White?

Is there a deeper reason this kid-next-door so seizes the imagination of both the press and an adoring public?

Could it be they – we – you and I – see something in him we in our heart of hearts see in ourselves?

Could it have something to do with not underestimating ourselves?

Not letting our looks . . . our surface appearance . . . our past. . . our challenges . . . other people’s opinions of us . .. not letting any of these things stop us from expressing our true abilities?

You and I didn’t have the advantage of watching Shaun White come up through the ranks, fighting the doubts, the insecurities, the pressure that ultimately all winners must overcome.

Wouldn’t this have been an inspiration?

Wouldn’t it have provided motivation for you, my friend, to perservere through your own challenges and slowly unfold your own great potential?

There’s another show – similar in a certain sense to the Olympics – where you can receive this inspiration and motivation if you know where to focus your attention. Whether you like this show or not (and some of you have honestly expressed you do not) the reason I find American Idol so extraordinary to watch is you and I get to witness this very birthing process.

We get to see how difficult it is to stay focused in the face of withering criticism.

We get to see what strength of character it takes to avoid the temptation of imitation.

We get to see what a trial it is to be true to ourselves.

And we get to see the glory to be had in not letting go of our dreams.

With a discerning nature, there are incredible lessons for you and me to discover for realizing our own individual Visions while comfortably sitting back in our chairs watching others go through the pressure-filled process leading, for just one or two, to theirs.

In future newsletters, I will focus in on some of these lessons -not just from American Idol, but from watching anyone rise to the top.

Stay tuned . . . and "attuned" to the opportunities right at your fingertips to witness and to be inspired.

The greatest of all life lessons usually don’t cost a dime. Yet they can whiz right past you unless you have a discerning Wealthy Soul eye to the otherwise ordinary looking "Flying Tomatoes."

Yours for the greatest wealth,
Michael

*** I started the last newsletter saying I knew
      who was going to win American Idol. Today’s
      newsletter begins to provide the first clue
      to my choice . . . and to your own rise to
      the top.

      This season of American Idol has at least 4
      people who have already demonstrated those
      rare star qualities – qualities I will share
      more with you about in the future.

      One person, in particular, though, I believe
      has those qualities in the greatest
      abundance.

      In order that you know I won’t change my
      selection before revealing it to you in this
      newsletter, I’ve posted my choice on a well-
      known website. In addition, the initials S.M.
      are intimately associated with this person
      without necessarily being the initials of
      their first and last name. When I later
      reveal my choice to you, I’ll tell you how
      those initials secretly identify this forming
      star from the other contestants.

      What’s most important here, however, is not
      my choice – not whether or not this person
      ultimately wins American Idol. It’s the
      attention to those qualities that can inspire
      you and me to our own greatness.

Share what you think some of those Wealthy
Soul qualities are in the Comments Box below: