a Lesson from the Heart

June 9, 2023, was the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s historic triple crown horse racing win. I was a youngster growing up in Baltimore, Maryland – home of the second leg to the crown - the Pimlico Racetrack which happened to be located about 3 miles from our home. Since most of my family did not bend towards horse racing, when drove past it almost daily, we paid little attention. We were usually more concerned with Sinai Hospital which sat right next door, since that was the place where my two brothers and I were born. But every May the city became a buzz with excitement as the race for the crown began – first the Kentucky Derby, then Pimlico, and finally, the Belmont Stakes in New York. While we watched quite a few of them over the years, Secretariat’s race is the only one I can still recall with vivid detail, probably because it would turn out to be historic.

Sixteen years after retiring, Secretariat had to be put down and a necropsy (an autopsy for animals) was performed. With a triple crown winner being so rare, horse racing aficionados everywhere wondered if any great secret would be revealed. They were not disappointed. It was discovered that her heart was 3-times the size of that found in an average horse.

Secretariat’s journey to becoming a triple crown winner is extraordinary. In each leg of the race, she set a horse racing record that still stands today… 50 years later. For years, people wondered, how did she do it. The answer would turn out to be obvious, she had a larger-than-life heart.

Every act of kindness, appreciation, and inspiration nurtures our hearts. When we extend these gestures to strangers or those who may be unfamiliar to us, the impact is even greater. Secretariat's legacy reminds us of the transformative power that lies within us when we choose to enlarge our hearts.

Finding inspiration in acts of kindness, appreciation, and joy is a powerful one. In times of challenges and turmoil, it's essential to remember the importance of compassion, empathy, and respect for one another. Small acts of kindness and generosity can have a profound impact on individuals and society as a whole.

If this story has encouraged you, please let me know. If you missed or would like to revisit Secretariat’s historic journey through the film, find it here Find Secretariat, The Impossible Journey.