In my last week’s post, I talked about keeping promises to myself. Connected to this topic, is the concept of not letting myself down.
Excellence is more than meeting other people’s expectations. It’s also about living up to your own standards. After all, it’s impossible to please everyone. The question is whether you’re letting down the right people. It’s better to disappoint others than to disappoint yourself – Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
When I was young, I studied hard in school to please my parents, who believed that getting good grades + obtaining a degree was the ticket to getting a good job. I grew up as a “good girl”, even to the point of being a nerd in school, which many of my friends now find it hard to believe.
I realise it is truly impossible to please everyone. I found out that the sacrifices I make trying to please everyone eventually stripped me of my identify, my dreams and my hopes. So I decided I will stop letting myself down, but to allow myself to grow in strength and courage, beauty and grace, hope and love. To become the best version of myself as I journey through my path of self-discovery, and always reaching for my higher self.
In life, we will always let some people down, even though we tend to try our best not to let anyone down. We must decide who are the ones we will let down in different circumstances. Nevertheless, let us be more intentional in not letting ourselves down but to value ourselves more. And to set a higher standard for ourselves and what we want from our lives, so that we can soar higher in the sky!
I like this, Anne. Becoming the best version of ourselves is a continuous process. I have always believed that life is always a climb towards improving ourselves or becoming the best of ourselves. There is no such thing as “plateau or maintaining”. The moment you stop looking to improve, you began to slide.
We must always have enjoyment in the process of “continuous improvement of ourselves”. I find this is possible when we touch the lives of others. Probably not possible to make everyone happy. Even if one person is touched…. The Starfish Story.