"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self"

— Ernest Hemingway

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It’s not about them and how I think about my standing in comparison, is it?

I was recently asked to write a list of things that I was proud of.

And there’s nothing glamorous there. Nothing I can post on social media and show off to others.

But knowing I worked on these things and got better at them?

That really is everything.

Here are mine. Maybe take the time to write your own list? I’m certainly glad I did.

I’m so proud of:

Walking my kids to school just about every morning. Time is short. They’re not going to want to hang out with me forever.

Learning that my happiness cannot rely on them, my wife, my reputation, my bank balance … anything external. It has to be uncaused. No one else is going to give happiness to me. They can’t do that.

Creating a living teaching what I love and know is profoundly useful. Running a business isn't easy, but I couldn't do anything else now.

Finding a way of getting to my days off not exhausted and burnt out from running in red during the week at work.

Knowing, without a doubt, that the stress and fear we associate with 'doing our best' isn't actually useful.

Running 50 miles over some serious Welsh mountains. I wasn’t sure I could do it, and it wasn’t easy at all, but I did find my way to the finish, in some style too.

I used to believe in the, “and they fell in love forever after” story. I thought love was a done thing. No wonder my relationships never lasted. Now I know love is active, and I’ve been with my wife for the last 15 years. I’ve never wanted to get married, never wanted kids, and here I am, loving it.

What about you?

It’s so easy to miss as we’re comparing to others’ success, but …

What are you proud of?

What is success to you? What do you have now you once only dreamed of?

Enjoy, and go well,

Arjuna

PS.

If I can help with anything at all let me know. I’d love to be of service.