World's Greatest

Normally my posts adhere to a strict chronology. But I am breaking that for today because the story I have to tell is that Amazing (yes with a capital letter).

"Top of the Art at the Art of the Top"
There are a few moments that humble you, that put your whole life into perspective in an astounding and uncomfortable way. Last night I had one of those experiences from one of the most unexpected sources. Tony Stien is the Worlds Greatest Top Spinner. His personal record for longest top spin stands at one hour, twenty minutes and two seconds. He has 272 tops; all handmade with extreme precision.

The top is the Oldest Toy, one has been found that dates back to 3500bc. It has come along way since then, especially at the hands of Tony.

Spinning a top may seem to many a frivolous activity that children undertake in a trite exploration of basic physics that is a generation out of date. Yet when you see what fifteen years of dedication, passion and determination can contribute to something that seems so simple, the result is breathtaking. His handmade tops are works or art and engineering genius. His skill is a profound statement in proficiency. Personally, to see a top spin, come to its final revolution and remain upright has a subtle beauty one can only relate to perfection.

From meeting him, and seeing his absolute devotion to the act of spinning a top was humbling. He knows that, at what he does, there is no equal. The only things that drives him is his struggle for perfection, and upon reaching it, repeating it. We can all learn from Tony. If he can take something so simply as spinning a top and turn it into a breathtaking and unimaginable display through a lifetime of dedication, passion and hard work; then what is stopping any of us? We often look at our dreams, and keep them locked in improbability in a cage of excuses. That is ridiculous. We have the responsibility to ourselves to accept our dreams and the passion elicits, and live it.

Tony told me there a five thing one needs to excel in what one does. They are:
1) Time
2) Money
3) Patience
4) The will to succeed
5) The search for excellence.

I have seen the manifestation of a dream, and it left me speechless. More so it left me a bit ashamed of how i have neglected my passion. We can all learn from Tony, that excellence can be ours. We need but know we can, and claim it.

Check out a video here. Below is a picture of a top that stopped spinning but remained upright.