Levels of Distinction.  We humans, want to stand out at something.  Most of us, at least.  We want to be really good at a task, or have a special quality.  Some seek fame… others strive to win… or succeed at work.  Get a promotion.  Whatever.

There just seems to be an innate need to be significant. At something.  Anything.  Call it what you will…..   importance,  note, consequence; renown, fame, celebrity, reputation; merit, worth, greatness, excellence, quality.

And sometimes you win.  Sometimes you lose.

Here are a few examples… concerning this whole “level of distinction” matter.

I should warn you.  At times… it goes terribly awry.

For instance…. in 1981, Deborah Ann Fountain (Miss New York) became the first Miss America pageant participant disqualified for “illegal use of padding” during the swimsuit competition.  Her hills fell down… and it broke her crown.

Another for you to chew on.   Mr. and Mrs. Wrigley must have been proud.  The first item bought by scanning its UPC code was a ten-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum, purchased at an Ohio supermarket. It’s now on display at the Smithsonian.

Okay.  If someone tells you their “Claim to Fame” is being double-jointed… you should do a double-take.  No matter how flexible a person is, there is no such thing as being “double jointed.”   From what I am told…. most extreme contortionists suffer from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

On the other hand.  Here is a guy with a great butt.  A Hollywood stuntman  of long ago.  His name was Alvin Kelly.   In 1924, Kelly sat atop a flagpole for 13 hours.  That is a long dang time on a flagpole.  It inspired copycats across the country to replicate his feat….to varying degrees of success.

So, for as much as we try… and seek to be the best… go higher than any others… we might remember this:  Trees do not grow higher than 130 meters…. as it is physically impossible for the water to rise higher.

I guess, sometimes… it is good to know your limits….  when you are rising toward the stars.

“In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.” –  Buddha quotes
 
“I am in You,You are in Me,There is no distance or distinction.”  –   Sri Sathya Sai Baba