I’m absolutely fired up reading this. Love the flipping the pyramids upside down analogy. Phenomenal writing too - read it and felt like my soul was speaking directly to my consciousness.
First and foremost, this was wonderfully written. In response to your concluding prompt, the toughest respect I've earned has been my own. For most of my early life, I fell into the trap of relying on accomplishments - being a star athlete and and 4.0+ GPA student. After a series of poor decisions in college, I found myself stripped of my precious labels and left with an unhealthy body, troubled mind, and embarrassing grades. I looked in the mirror and realized I had to start from scratch. Once the devastating sting of that truth faded, I got to work - laying "brick by brick" - until I evolved into someone I was proud to be. I hope people read this and reflect on their lives in every department!
In my opinion, having earned your own respect is one of the greatest accomplishments you can have. In regards to relying on accomplishments and status, you’re not alone. I spent a significant amount of time there myself. It has led many of us astray to a hollower path. You should be proud of yourself for climbing off of that mountain and picking a better, more sustainable option.
I’m absolutely fired up reading this. Love the flipping the pyramids upside down analogy. Phenomenal writing too - read it and felt like my soul was speaking directly to my consciousness.
Thanks Andrew! Glad this hit you where you needed it. Flip the approval pyramid on its head and life starts to get a lot better!
First and foremost, this was wonderfully written. In response to your concluding prompt, the toughest respect I've earned has been my own. For most of my early life, I fell into the trap of relying on accomplishments - being a star athlete and and 4.0+ GPA student. After a series of poor decisions in college, I found myself stripped of my precious labels and left with an unhealthy body, troubled mind, and embarrassing grades. I looked in the mirror and realized I had to start from scratch. Once the devastating sting of that truth faded, I got to work - laying "brick by brick" - until I evolved into someone I was proud to be. I hope people read this and reflect on their lives in every department!
In my opinion, having earned your own respect is one of the greatest accomplishments you can have. In regards to relying on accomplishments and status, you’re not alone. I spent a significant amount of time there myself. It has led many of us astray to a hollower path. You should be proud of yourself for climbing off of that mountain and picking a better, more sustainable option.