Jessica Watson arrived in Sydney yesterday, having completed her aim of sailing solo around the world. Jessica, 16 years old, took 211 days to complete her journey. Greeting her in Sydney were many thousands of spectators, and of course, the inevitable politicians looking to bask in some reflected glory.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gushed over her, proclaiming:
”In the eyes of all Australians, you now stand tall as our newest Australian hero. You have lived your dream.”
Is she a hero? I don’t think so – but she is obviously determined and gutsy in pursuing her dreams. Good on her for a significant achievement.
At least she seemed to have the sense to recognise her achievements, while good, fall short of heroic. She told the Prime Minister and the waiting crowd:
”I don’t consider myself a hero. I’m an ordinary girl who believed in her dream.”
Good on her for having this perspective. Hopefully she’ll continue to have it in the face of all the media hype and adulation she’s going to be in for.
She is a very humble girl. That is the spirit of believing your own dream.