A "gift" or 'innate character trait" is the type of semantical splitting of hairs that I tend to avoid. I concur that the parents and family life can play a role in how much this trait (or any other) whithers or fluorishes. But the trait must be within the child.
When I think back to the "1 in 3" days I am convinced that it ws this mindset, rather than 'smarts" or "intelligence" that separated the 1 from the other 2.
A few years back, I thruhiked the Appalachian Trail. Not much of an accomplishment really but the success rate over the decades has always been prety constant (about 25% or in 1 in 4). No matter how much better the gear has gotten and all the resources available now needed to plan and execute a long hike. I have maintained my friendship with others in the long distance hiking community and we mentor people who want to thruhike, whether it be the AT, the CDT, or PCT. One thing we have learned when people contact us for info or advice is to listen to their phrasing. If they say I am going to walk from Ga to Maine - or Mexico to Canada - they typically will barring some unforeseen circumstance such as injury or family crisis. If they say "I am going to try to thruhike the XYZ trail" or "I am going to keep walking as long as I am having fun" or some other phrasing, they usually don't make it. They might get 75 miles, 200 miles or 500 miles but they just don't finish. It's pretty consistent in this regard and we believe it is a reliable indicator or predictor of "success".
In today's college FB world, the portal can be an indicator of those who don't have the mindset to finish a difficult task. As Coach Johnson said, they all come highly recommended. Some will stick it out and work their way onto the playing field. Others will take the path of least resistance. Disclaimer: I used the word can. This meaans not ALL players who are in the portal are taking the easy out. Some may have real and legitimate reasons.
