Earlier this year my mom gave me a magnet with a great quote on it. I love having it on my fridge to read and remember every day. When you hear about what others are "accomplishing" with their lives, especially in alumni updates and magazines, it is hard to feel that you are "doing" enough with your life. This quote reminds me that although those other accomplishments are important and striving to reach your goals has its value, these are the little things that really aren't that little; these are the things that really matter:
To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of
children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false
friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch... to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!
~Emerson
Have a wonderful, "successful" day -- and check back for some boy-band dancing soon!
Thanks for sharing, Carolyn! I agree that it can be easy to get caught up in comparing your life to those of your peers. In the end, true success comes down to effort, attitude, and intention--not mile-markers. Are you doing your best to grow? To be thankful for all that you've been given? To be happy, helpful, and kind even when you'd rather hide under the covers? And the biggest question of all: have you performed, on stage for all to see, in a mock boy-band?
ReplyDelete-Katie