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Our friend remembers “Jimmy.” Jimmy’s girlfriend lived in her basement suite, so he was over often. She described Jimmy as a nice kid. Ordinary, nice looking. Nothing much to this story. Except that “Jimmy” was James Ehnes, who went on to become the renowned violin virtuoso that he is today. He has played with the best musicians in the world, his violin solos sell out music venues all over the world.

So how did Jimmy do it? He had a good start. His parents were academics and accomplished musicians themselves. But, neither of them rose to anywhere near the stratospheric heights that James has achieved. Whatever his parents did, whatever Jimmy did — it worked. His brilliant future is assured.

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Then there is another “Jimmy.” He too grew up in a home with loving parents. Nice kid, athletic, smart. (His teachers said that if only he “applied himself” he could do well). But he didn’t. His early promise was forgotten as he began a descent into drug addiction.