Don’t forget other people

Life has its ups and downs, and it always will. My trouble, like many others, is getting caught up in one stage or another. And I mean that: while depression is no fun, mania isn’t necessarily any better. Having a little bit of restraint and a sense of humility is really the best state of mind, at least for me.

Lately life has been really good. Unrelated to all the big events (like the World Series and the election—a mixed bag of events), things have just been going my way. Work’s enjoyable, life is comfortable, I’m on top of things, and I feel like those around me appreciate me. When it rains, it pours… But I have to be careful: I need to stay humble. Life will not continue like this, especially not if I take it all for granted.

One needs to appreciate the circumstances around them, but one can’t look down upon those who are less fortunate or unhappy. One should always be cognizant of how alike we all are.

We’ve all run into people who don’t have the time for us, who make us feel unworthy. But titles and accomplishments say nothing about one’s character; some sort of prestige (whether perceived by the person or those around them) shouldn’t translate into rudeness. The second it does they lose a little bit of the honor they supposedly deserved.

When others look up to you, it’s really easy for you to get caught up in their vision…and think that you’re better than some people. But remember that in reality you’re just “someone”: famous-face today, everybody-else tomorrow. It’s like when you walk into a room where no one knows you and you just wish they knew “I’m really good at…and I’ve accomplished this and that and…” because “if they knew all that about me surely they’d want to talk to me.” Well you need to turn-the-tables for others, because there are situations when you’re in the exact opposite position. Just because you’ve made it in XYZ doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t have amazing qualities in ABC. And there are few people who really aren’t worth your time.

On the ball or not, I’ll always find someone who’s ahead of me in some way. If I try to compare myself and be better than others, there’s always a way to lose. We can be better at certain skills, but not better at being people. I’ve accomplished my share of XYZ, but I don’t want to let it get ahead of me. The second it does I’ll become complacent–I’ll no longer exhibit the character I’ll need to move on and grow.