Mastery

Every World Cup game he plays, pint-sized soccer great Lionel Messi shows why we can’t take our eyes off those who have mastered their craft and do it with, well, no messing about. They mesmerize millions of viewers.
I remember years ago, in Victoria, British Columbia, listening to the great Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich playing Dvorak’s cello concerto, and thinking that maybe he was taking a few liberties with the music. But his commanding performance was so brilliant it was literally breathtaking ... and tear-making.
Now, it doesn’t matter whether these master craftsmen and women are musicians, carpenters, nurses, plumbers, actors, acrobats, athletes ... or even accountants, bless them. We are in awe of their expertise.
One of the British Columbians whose mastery amazes me is that of Gerard Laverty, the Irish-born farrier who regularly shoes our warmblood mare, Laphelia. She is big and can be a handful, but with his deep horse knowledge and expert blacksmith skills, Laverty makes it look easy. And it is a real pleasure to watch him doing so.
The hardest thing to master, of course, is oneself. But that's another story.