Throwers and Dreamers
Following from last week’s article, I am very happy to report that Murdo Masterson of Dunbeg achieved yet another great milestone in his heavy athletics career on Saturday (September 1), by winning both the heavy and light hammers at The Braemar Highland Gathering. It is believed, as with many of Murdo’s accomplishments this year, that at 19 years old' he is the youngest athlete ever to come first in both these events at this very prestigious Highland Games.
The following is a verse taken from a song that we worked on and never finished a few years ago.
Believe, believe the time will come,
The dawning day, the rising sun;
No mighty oaks or medals gleam.
Before the acorn, or the dream.
The above few lines give a fairly simple message. It is certainly not the most original or linguistically elegant lyric, but I believe strongly in the essence of the idea being conveyed. Last weekend, Murdo Masterson received a solid silver medal from HRH Prince Charles at the Braemar Highland Gathering and that medal was the direct result of a young boy having a dream and following it.
I remember clearly when Murdo, accompanied by his dad, first began to receive lessons in Highland Games events from coaches Shaun Bate and Jock Ross. None of us who witnessed Murdo’s early efforts could have predicted that, from a 14-yearold novice, in less than five years he would become one of the best hammer throwers in the world. However, Shaun and Jock gave Murdo the bug for throwing and that bug became a dream. The acorn of that dream, watered by Murdo’s effort, dedication and commitment, his coaches and his parents is now becoming a mighty oak.
Dreams are born by having a view of your future potential that is unrealistic in relation to your current circumstances. If they were otherwise, they would merely be plans carried out in the confines of the conventional road of life. Too many dreams are dashed by people being told to be realistic.
Consider the number of potential world-class musicians, athletes, adventurers, computer-scientists, bakers, butchers, candlestick-makers and followers of any other channel of human endeavour who never made it past the first hurdle of their desired path because they were told they were dreamers and that their aims were unrealistic.
Murdo’s journey encapsulates the very essence of why dreams should be embraced and followed. When Murdo said a number of years ago that he wanted to become a record-breaking Highland Games athlete, he was being unrealistic. That dream is now a reality.
As dreams come true, so new dreams are born and I hope they too will be fulfilled.