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I never saw a wild thingsorry for itself.A small bird will drop frozen dead from a boughwithout ever having felt sorry for itself.
Self Pity, by D.H. Lawrence
I was introduced to this wonderful little poem by a teacher many years ago. Largely unknown until U.S. Navy Seal Master Chief John James Urgayle adopted it as his credo in the movie G.I. Jane, it is a powerful statement about dignity and the human spirit.
Self pity is a disease that attacks a person's dignity. By wrapping it around one's self, a feeling of somehow being absolved is fleetingly given validity, in the hope that others will see the unfairness of it all and respond in a way that will vindicate it. When the disease has finally and fully ravaged a person's dignity, it becomes the excuse for one's failures and a reason for being unto itself. Self pity attacks dignity, but it kills the spirit.
Over the past year, I have seen and heard of many opportunities for self pity to attack the dignity and spirit of someone very dear to all of us.
A little girl was once known as the "pretty, stupid one." Diagnosed with a vision problem that had led to reading difficulties, she immediately responded to corrective lenses by proving to others just how smart she really was. In today's world, where many place beauty ahead of brains, this would for many be an opportunity to play the pity card. Not this little girl - she wanted no part of that game. That little girl is a wild thing.
A teenager was competing in a talent competition and was well on her way to winning. Another contestant played a version of the pity game and ended up capturing the prize. The teenager could have played a pity card of her own but chose not to. She gave up the coveted prize, but kept her dignity. That teenager is a wild thing.
A talented young lady auditioned repeatedly so that she might do the one thing she had always dreamed of - entertaining others. Almost two hundred times she was told, "Thanks, but no thanks." She took each rejection as being one step closer to fulfilling her dream. She could have played the pity card and given up. But she never did give up, and she kept her dignity. That talented young lady is a wild thing.
A beautiful young woman was attacked by a disease that whispered in her ear, "You're not as pretty as everyone says and your dreams are never going to come true. Let me comfort you." For a while, she was indeed seduced by this voice, but her desire to succeed overcame temptation, and she fought and won the battle against bulimia, this killer of image. She could have played the pity card and been falsely comforted. But she fought, and she kept her dignity. That beautiful young woman is a wild thing.
An unknown talent was thrust into the limelight of national television, competing with other unknowns for the title of American Idol. Super talented, gorgeous, and commanding a superior stage presence, she was at first heralded and then, suddenly, subjected to criticism that belied the performances that millions had witnessed. And, on the final night of competition, she suffered an injury to her throat that presented her with a tremendous disadvantage. She could have played the pity card and cried, "Unfair.' She kept her mouth shut, and kept her dignity. That unknown talent is a wild thing.
A future superstar was on the verge of touring the United States, finally having the opportunity to perform and entertain like she had always dreamed of. At the last moment, bronchitis and laryngitis struck, and her doctor shut her down for three weeks. She could have played the pity card and shed tears for herself and dreams lost. Instead, she shed tears for those who so looked forward to seeing her perform. She shed tears for others rather than herself, and kept her dignity. That future superstar is a wild thing.
A brilliant performer breaks her foot in the middle of a concert tour. She could easily say, "Oh well then, I can hardly walk with the pain, and moving around on stage will surely be too much." She could have played the pity card and sat down. Instead, she stood tall and kept her dignity. That brilliant performer is a wild thing.
Here at Katharinefans.com, we admire our lady because of the talent, beauty, charm and personal grace she displays. I suggest one more reason for admiration:
Katharine Hope McPhee is a wild thing.
I'm like...uhh...WOW!.....you've rendered me speechless! It does fit Katharine so well. An excellent post Don. Yes, Katharine is a Wild Thing.