Friday 20 September 2013

Don't Be Shy

Pride, they say it comes before a fall. Fair enough I say, but what if it comes after an achievement? 

Us Brits are famous for our understatement but perhaps modesty and self-effacement can be taken too far. After all, how can we be encouraged to move forwards if we don't recognise what we have achieved in the first place? Is it so bad to be extremely pleased or overjoyed with what you have accomplished in life? Is that being proud in a negative sense?

I'm not asking you to make yourselves the centre of attention every single day. Or in every situation to constantly and forceably brag about your lifetime achievements. All I'm asking is, that you give yourself a good pat on the back, and not feel afraid to say what you're good at, or what you succeeded in doing in life against all the odds.


Let's not be ashamed to celebrate positive pride. Grab a beer or your favorite tipple, take the load of your feet, and tell me all about it. Don't be shy.  

So, what are your proudest moments or achievements in life?
What is the most successful thing you have done against all the odds?

Or feel free to leave a link if it's something you've already written about.

I love to hear your comments, views and opinions. 

82 comments:

  1. I agree- without crossing the line into arrogance, we need to give ourselves credit from time to time.

    Probably my greatest achievement (along with my husband) is raising some terrific kids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a great feeling when you can both be proud of your offsprings. And don't be shy because you also have excellent writing skills and a brilliant blog Shelly.

      Delete
  2. I am a firm believer that you should be proud of your accomplishments, and be tough on your failings. So long as you are honest with yourself, where is the harm. Greatest accomplishment, when I got into my school program. Only 25% who apply get in, so it was a bit of a nail biter. If I had not gotten in *gulp* I would have been stuck four YEARS in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Yeah... put a bullet right here *pokes between eyes*. But seriously, I am pretty sure I celebrated that at the time a little too well:P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, you were up against the odds but made it in Jamie. That really was, and still is something to be proud of and I can just imagine that you had a really good 'knees up' when you got the wonderful news. Nice one mate.

      Delete
  3. I have a few
    - giving my best friend away at her wedding
    - managing my own nhs ward
    - being ina successful relationship
    - having friends that love me
    - collecting my own ewes wool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've got some great achievements John. Managing your own NHS ward must be really difficult but rewarding too. I know you have a love for animals and it must be real fun collecting that wool.

      Delete
  4. I agree that you should be proud of your accomplishments. But, it is a fine line. I am sure I would prefer to have the reputation of someone who is self effacing rather than be known as a braggart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True Alain, nobody likes a 'big head'. And I must mention here that you too have a wonderful blog and you're a brilliant gardener too. You've given me some good tips and I just love the photos.

      Delete
  5. Ok. Going out on a limb here as you suggest. Besides the book I'm writing .. http://www.365rules.com/ the one and only song I recorded "Thundercoon" about a racoon that took me too far. I recorded all instruments, sang and wrote the lyrics myself. It's less than good, but it's mine. The video is just home movies to fill up space.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU1d3QgvIho
    I think you're right. Everyone should shelve modesty once in a while.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow Steve. You are multi-talented for sure. Most people can only do one or two of those things but to write, sing and play all the instruments is an accomplishment in itself. And writing a book is definitely not an easy task. Well done mate, and I'll be taking a look at those links later :)

      Delete
  6. My greateast achievement in life is finishing a degree in college at the age of 40 in a foreign language by self studying and working at the same time:) that I must say, I can be proud of myself. But still, I managed with faith in God:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brilliant Joy. That just goes to show that you are never too old to start something new and it's an encouragement to many others who are thinking about doing the same. If you can do it, so can they. Thumbs up to you.

      Delete
  7. Hi my friend,
    thanks for your visit.. always nice seeing you nice friendly face :-)
    you are so special, all of your questions and thoughts are never easy to handle...
    deserve time to think and write something smart :-(
    ok, life is really complicate... uff, I believe we need to take the best part of life and ... love is the key.
    ciao ciao

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ciao Massimo. When it comes to Italians, we all know that love is always the key :)
      The photos on your blog has such romance, passion, elegance and beauty in them. You show the world in such a wonderful light, and I just love visiting you.

      Delete
  8. Despite being a self-centred, melancholic, nervy depressive I have managed to stay married for 25 years and have raised an intelligent, sociable, confident and thoughtful teenage son who is the polar oppostite of me! I like think I had some input into shaping his character.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, who else could have raised such a wonderful child? You of course. Life must have been hard for you at times but along the way you must have been doing something right and 25 years of marriage is absolutely brilliant. C'mon, give yourself a big pat on the back mate. You deserve it Simone.

      Delete
  9. I am proud of my weight loss and fitness goals I am achieving... now saying all that... it's not like I think I am better than anyone else, anyone can do this, it just takes determination. I remember reading what other people wrote about their weight loss and thinking I could never do it... but I did, it took changing my thought pattern.

    Also, having children and raising them to be wonderful people is a challenge... I have raised one completely... the second one is doing quite well... lots and lots of challenges but I am proud of both of them :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Losing weight is not easy mate. I tried it many times and it's a hard slog. Many people fail but you didn't.

      You've been successful getting yourself back into shape and I applaud you for sticking to a healthy diet and exercising like you do. Well done, keep it up Launna.

      Delete
  10. Greetings my Friend...

    Absolutely 'Pat yourself on the back' every now and again. Keep it in check, don't get carried away and rub it in to others, but yes, raise that 'tipple' now & then and share your smile.

    A great Marriage, awesome Kids, & a great Job/Position. I'm Blessed!!!

    Have a great weekend, Slu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely Slu. You have the best of life right now, so enjoy every moment. You truly are blessed mate. And I'll be popping round soon to see what happened with that house.

      Delete
  11. A person needs some encouragement, even if he has to do it himself.
    I've been married for 33 years.
    I have a daughter who's married and has a good career.
    I stayed in school despite some discouragement and went into a professional position.
    Now that I'm retired I consider myself a "leisure enthusiast". I'm trying to promote a novel I've written. I have another older novel that has never been published, which I may update.
    I intend to have the most rewarding life I can. New experiences delight me. Some of my photography is very good.
    I guess that's enough bragging.
    In real life I'm a quiet, shy man. I have trouble opening up and making friends.
    Thanks RPD for another thought provoking post.
    Your friend
    ~John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Leisure enthusiast', I like that and you're not bragging at all John. You're just acknowledging some of the good things you have achieved. It's good to know that since retiring you're not just sitting at home with nothing to do, but you're still busy making life happen.
      33 years of marriage is a landmark mate. Well done for keeping those home fires burning, if you know what I mean. And when the children have a nice life of their own, it makes you feel more settled.

      Delete
  12. I think that allowing ourselves to feel good about our achievements is what gives us the encouragement to go on, to try the next thing. It's all the positives that we get from the feeling of success that makes us want to achieve it again and strive to do so.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right Karen. It does encourage us, and make us feel good about ourselves inside and out. And when you reach a goal that's been tough, you should treat yourself to something good.

      Delete
  13. The thing I'm most proud of, rpd, is being a friendly person. Of course that's not really an achievement, since it comes quite naturally.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, it might not seem to be an achievement to you but you never know the difference it may have made to someone else by being friendly. If you could see the results this might have brought over the years you may realise that it's something to be proud of.

      Delete
  14. I guess there is a pattern about every human being, a pattern that varies with time and lore. This pattern is not the same around the world.

    For a reason I prefer not to elaborate, since it is a bit like bragging, the Western world have led with its pattern many situations in the world, also because this part of the planet have the leadership of breakthrough in science and technology, the wealth with no limit, and a penetrating propaganda.

    It is very improbable to find a braggart in the highly educated echelon of the East world, no matter how deep the penetration of the western customs had contaminated their roots. The fear of excess takes most people to follow the path of, let's say, shyness. It does not conspire against them since the very tissues of the society are the agent to make public the achievements of any individual. Small feats are recognised by family and friends, without the envy, which untie feuds, that pervade the tissue of Western society

    In last times we, westerners, have developed a very dangerous culture based on the competitivity, anger, and destructive feelings. There is a polling revealing that in the social sites in Internet, the most clear feeling is wrath.

    Unfortunately, our reaction to other people's success is not right, so the only way we are left is to play our own drum, and flood society with our triumphs.

    We try to override all these bad feelings, telling our accomplishments covered by a veneer of modesty, but the sheer boasting is still the best cry understood by our society.

    This said, and following the always present abundant rationalization we are used to display, we can show some of our feats under a light of humility, even if this action is not necessary for our mind to know where, when and if, we are good at anything.

    As always I am jumping from bough to bough without following your cues!

    So to heed your advice and give me some credits, I can plea guilty of coming from a low social level, I was privileged by an education my elders could afford, I could finding a job in the wrong place that let me understand humankind better than most people, I could disentangle myself from the siren songs of our cultural ways, and end, if we can call this new beginning an end, as a little brick in a whole made wall not different from those around it.

    As a final reminder about this wall I wrote in the previous paragraph, I want to tell you that we are all part of this wall, many of us are buried in the foundation of the wall, many more are in the different layers going up to the highest ridgepole, and a few are part of the lofty places, but if you take them apart and compare one of them with any other, you will find they are all the same.

    I know I could have written the before than the last paragraph, and I would have answered your quest, but I cannot lose an opportunity to write a small treatise about human behaviour, this is my major achievement, and my most ugly trait, since it goes againts the vital fiber of any of us, human beings.

    Thank you for giving me this chance!

    I thought to excuse myself because the length of the post, but it won't do since it is another sad trait of mine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As you point out, there is an unhealthy, toxic boasting that is motivated by competitiveness, envy and sense of inadequacy in comparison with others. A reason why, paradoxically, those who boast the most are often the most insecure!

      The siren song is such an apt analogy for the materialistic culture that offers so much, yet delivers so little. At some point we all need someone to 'tie us to the mast'!

      Well done on managing to climb the ladder without losing your sense of perspective.

      And Od Liam... one more thing... your 'traits' are most welcome here..

      Delete
  15. I don't like to make a big fuss over things I've done for other people or at work, these things should be considered obligations (if you want to be treated well, be good to others, it's not rocket science. And I'm being paid to work, I don't expect a ticker-tape parade every time I get a project finished on time) but I find that I'm quite happy to go on at some length about things most other people would consider trivial achievements.
    I'm inordinately proud of my blog, having only discovered a talent (Yes, I'm now happy to claim I have some small talent) relatively recently, and I also get very pissed off with false modesty and compliment fishing, so I'd rather see someone happy to embrace that pleasant glow of personal achievement than say things like "Oh, that old thing? I just threw that together, it's Ok I suppose", all the while hoping you're going to say "Don't be silly, you have a massive gift, I truly am not worthy to read your pearls of wisdom"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Be proud of your blog Dale. All of us know how hard it is to put our thoughts out there for everyone to read, and to get feedback on it. And to get feedback you have to do a whole lot of promoting too. I'ts not as easy as it sounds. For something that involves such a personal investment, not to mention time and energy, there is no room for false modesty.

      Delete
  16. I think that religion has played a major role here. After all, pride was one of the seven deadly sins, so it was actively discouraged. However, it seems to me that what was being proscribed was not ordinary pride, which is a perfectly reasonable emotion, but arrogance or self-importance, both of which come up in a thesaurus as synonyms for pride.

    I rarely trumpet the fact, but there are a lot of things that have made me immensely proud. Two examples: my son was a member of the Imperial College team that won University Challenge in 2001; and I had dinner back in May with a group of guys who were my students in 1976. The leader of that group recently retired as Hong Kong’s chief fire officer, and he told me that he owed all his success in life to his time under my tutelage! Another was recently awarded Hong Kong’s equivalent of the MBE. Wow! How can you not be proud of that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I know University Challenge. 2001 - was that one of the 'golden years' under Paxman (I think)? That's brilliant Dennis. I'm usually pretty chuffed if I can answer one or two questions per episode. Your son must be just as proud as you :)

      Wow. What a success story when you've spent time teaching the young and you're still around (in a positive light) to see the fruits of your labour. And to think that they gave you the credit, I can't imagine how that must feel. Truly something to be proud of.

      Delete
  17. I thought and thought what to write.....


    I believe that my biggest accomplishment is that I raised my daughter and was able to give her education. At that time I was a single mother.

    I came to USA and started my life from the beginning not able to speak English and I right now can write to you a comment.

    I am a good wife and a good friend. And I accepted all my limitations, I know what I can do and what I can't.

    That is a very good post. I thought about what you wrote for a few days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Being a single parent is a massive accomplishment in itself. You are the mother, father, educator and bread winner amongst many other things. Put it this way - the load is not divided, it's on both your shoulders.

      It must have been very tough to start a new life without even knowing the language. Just being on a 2 week holiday abroad can be frustrating enough so I can imagine how difficult it must have been. And yes, your comment would never betray the fact that you didn't know any English before - great.

      Delete
  18. Great post, RPD. I've had lots of proud moments in life, all of which have come from following my heart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. C'mon Helena, spill the beans mate. I know you've got a few stories under your belt. Your job, your twins - go on throw us a bone! And give us a link...

      Delete
  19. Yes, we should celebrate success. As for me, I try to make sure that I recognize God as the one who makes it all possible. But I celebrate as well. Why should I lament the good in life I am blessed to experience?

    One of my great accomplishments was to graduate from college as an engineer over 30 years ago, and to get my first job as an engineer, working at Kennedy Space Center on the Space Shuttle Program. Yep, I had a sense of great pride, but at the same time I was careful to keep my feet planted on ground. If we are not careful, pride can take us done either before or after success.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoa, Kennedy Space Centre? What an achievement as a first time job and something to be very proud of. It's a dream that many others have but they never got there.

      I'm very in tune with what you mean about pride in a negative light. And it's a very thin line in being proud of something or being boastful, arrogant and ignorant. Well done Frank.

      Delete
  20. Wow Wow Wow Lovely post RPD.....as usual!! So deep yet true! We all feel shy to brag about our achievements sometimes or about that great work we are doing - that's probably makes us different from the crowd. But why can't we feel a little proud about that and celebrate what we have achieved, not being anymore a "shy rat!" We definitely can walk with our chins up yes being humble and that same shy person from within:))

    I have dared to write and show the world - "I am good at something and trying to be Best only in that!!!

    Best wishes,
    Epsita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As you will be able to tell from my pic, I don't really do the 'shy rat' thing either, ha ha!
      It's so true what you say. We can celebrate and feel good about our achievements, without losing touch with the humble person within.

      Delete
  21. I think my proudest achievement is getting up on a stage and dancing with almost nearly nothing on. But then I don't get out much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, yes, yes Lanthie. I must applaud you for taking the plunge mate. I think you need to leave a link to that post so everyone can read it for themselves. We don't want them to get the WRONG idea do we?

      Delete
  22. My proudest moment: graduating from college. It took me 10 years but I finally have my BA!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now that's what you call resilience and persistence paying off big time. Congrats mate. It was a long time coming but you got there in the end. It sometimes pays not to give up so quickly.

      Delete
  23. I have had plenty of proud moments. I have alluded to them on a number of my past postings. It seems that when things seem to be at their worst, I become my best.

    And Britain, this beleaguered land, is about to have a renewal of hope and pride. You shall see.

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gary, feel free to put a couple of links to some of those great moments here, so we can all have a read. Let's share your proud moments together mate.

      Delete
  24. Why didn't you list any of your accomplishments RPD? You deserve high praise for enduring so much while gathering enough courage to leave the church. Though I'm the most proud of my children, I also incorporate other special moments on my blog. Now go pat yourself on the back for another thought-provoking post Rum Punch Drunk!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Empty Nest Insider. I'll list a couple.
      1. Being thrown out at 15 years old and making a vow I'd never go back to live in my parents house regardless to anything that happened to me. I never went back despite life being hard at times during those very early years.
      2. For many many years not being in debt or owing money to anyone for anything. I would rather not have it than be scared to open my front door, answer the phone or open the mail. I have a great sense of freedom knowing that everything in the bank is mine without credit.

      Now, please feel free to put a link to your special moments from your blog so we can all read it. Don't be shy :)

      Delete
  25. So very well said. The whole stiff upper lip stuff really needs to end! I think we are better at it than we used to be but I know some boys (particularly boys) at high school age still "dumb down" to avoid looking smart. I often have to correct my teenage boy and let him know its okay to acknowledge an achievement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It all starts from the home Diane at a young age, which is very important. It's high time we acknowledge what is good and what is right because the bad stuff will take care of itself. Continue to encourage your son, and give him credit where credit is due.
      And a warm welcome to you Diane, and hoping to hear from you again.

      Delete
    2. Thanks
      I will definitely be back :)

      Delete
  26. Sorry I didn't get over here sooner---the little "incident" with my hand earlier this week threw me off schedule quite a bit! I think it's nice to be able to be proud of yourself for something. If you are able to overcome obstacles in your life to get to a place you have always wanted to be, then you most DEFINITELY should pat yourself on the back. The struggle was worth the wait!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know that you've achieved so much Menopausal Mama despite all the rough turns you've had in life, so a massive thumbs up to you. Make sure you look after that writing hand mate. No more Super Woman games ok?

      Delete
  27. I am proud of my two girls. They have grown into lovely young woman and for that I am truly proud and thankful. I am also proud of the fact that I can say I have written several books (ok I know none are published yet but one day!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you get all those books published and I wish you every success. And it's always nice when you can sit back and watch your children grow into beautiful people who contribute to making this world a better place.

      Delete
  28. I am proud of the fact that I am a woman with two careers while I am a devoted mother to my daughter. I consider my writing life a career, even though I don't intend to make money from it. I do, however, intend to do it well. This year I managed to publish a bunch of short stories and poems in literary magazines and anthologies. There is a lot of competition out there, so I feel proud of this accomplishment.
    This year I started working as a geriatrician again. I LOVE this and I 'm proud to be back. I feel I am living my dream...
    (I 'm also proud of the fact that I was able to stay at home to take care of my daughter--my husband supported me on this). I did not hand my baby to strangers and I am proud of this.
    I NEVER write about these matters, but you encouraged me to do it here. Thank you for your comment this morning. Nice post. I enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done Julia for getting your work published. I've heard so many times how hard it is to do this.
      And it's nice when women can choose to raise their own children whilst at the same time having careers they enjoy doing. I'm also glad that I was able to encourage you to speak up about this. You're more than welcome to leave a link to any of your poems or short stories so we can all have a good read. Don't be shy.

      Delete
  29. My proudest achievements are meeting wonderful internet friends like you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Donna, the feeling is mutual. I just love to interact with people in the cyber world.

      Delete
  30. I never knew until lately (after a lifetime of 'false humility') that it wasn't a sin to feel pleased about personal accomplishments!! Why NOT feel pleased when you've done well? There is a huge difference between being an arrogant lout and allowing yourself to feel the well-earned sense of accomplishment that you deserve. I know I am good at what I do - I take a lot of pride in designing learning opportunities to match the needs of my little students, and feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I have correctly diagnosed a learning difficulty and addressed it with the appropriate teaching methods. I am also very well aware of my weaknesses - I have a pretty balanced understanding of what I am and am not capable of. I'm happy when I've done a nice painting, or written a pretty poem, or encouraged someone to be their best. Why not? ;) So - what are some of YOUR proud moments??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I use to feel the same way Melody. If I achieved something good, I just wouldn't say anything because I thought it was somehow 'wrong'. Only very recently in my life, I've decided that if I do good then why not be happy or pleased about it in a balanced way.

      Wow Melody, you've got your work cut out with those students. You have to be a certain type of person to do a job like that but from the little I know about you, you've definitely got the right personality, character and discernment. Well done mate and glad that there are people like you around.

      So, to be honest, I'm proud of my blog. I didn't think anyone would be interested in anything I had to say, so it surprised me ALOT when I began to get comments and people started to join via 'google followers'. It brought tears to my eyes because I didn't think I was good enough.

      Delete
  31. Hi Rum Punch! Hope all is going well with you.

    For me it is a few things. Working hard to build my career from the ground up into a leadership role at my company when the odds were against me.

    The other is competing and completing the recent Warrior Dash mud run I did in August. What great fun that was.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You did well Phil. The hardest thing is to start from the bottom and work your way up into a good position but I'm glad you got there in the end because many people fail to accomplish their goal.

      Warrior Dash Mud run? My mind is racing now. I can just see you dressed like a viking rolling around the mud in some big forest whilst trying to run a race, ha ha ha.
      Did you win Phil?

      Delete
  32. That's pretty much what my entire blog is about as you know. I hope I don't come across as though I'm bragging. My goal is to remind myself of how far I've come and inspire others at the same time.

    Individual moments im particularly proud of are:
    - having the courage to leave my marriage and seek out a better life even though I was extremely scared of what may happen.
    - representing myself and taking my ex to court and winning to avoid financial ruin.

    And of course being able to carry my daughter to term and have a healthy baby despite all the complications I faced prior to conception, during pregnancy and at the birth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tony you're not bragging at all. You've managed to achieve some great things that you should be proud of. I have been reading your blog for a while and you've suffered many things but still you're here and are an inspiration to others. Despite not being able to have children, you now have a beautiful healthy baby to show for it.

      Delete
  33. I love the subjects you tackle. I've always hated to puff my chest when I've done something good. At times, I'll dismiss my achievements by finding fault in something. Finding that balance between bragging and pride is a tough one.

    My most recent accomplishment of which I am proud is finishing "30 Days of Photographs." I was able to post a picture every day of the month. It felt good to make until Day 30.

    Also, finishing my memoir is another huge accomplishment. It's 62,600 k words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes Lauren, I followed some of the 30 days of photography that you mentioned. I always admire people who can do those challenges because it's not as easy as it sounds, but you accomplished it. And a massive congratulations for finishing your memoir which was a major task in itself.

      Delete
  34. I used to feel guilty being proud of my accomplishments to the point of being dismissive. It was all about "humility". Well, I know the difference between being boastful and feeling honor and pleasure concerning my achievements.

    I'm proud of myself for starting a business from scratch 10 years ago and it's still going strong. I'm proud of completing a marathon...now that was tough :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Running your own business can be extremely difficult whilst at the same time raising a young family, so you do have something major to be proud of Hope. And I remember when you participated in a Back to School event where you offered your services for free and screened children for the early signs of childhood scoliosis. Now that's what I call giving back to the community. And congrats with completing the marathon, and I know for sure, that it's a hard run mate :)

      Delete
  35. I was always a little weary of telling people of my accomplishments because i did not want to be seen as a show off or something like that. My accomplishments went from graduating from the public school system while the majority of my friends dropped out. After that i joined the US Navy and did my time there while traveling and visiting countries like England and such. After that i got my college degree and got through the white collar world!
    Not done yet as i still have a few things planned before i'm done! I think people should always celebrate their accomplishments! i know for me i always get the confused look when i tell them what i was able to accomplish in my life so far.
    To me people with accomplishments in life are people who refuse to let life just waste away!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's right Jose. Don't let life pass you by, just take the bull by the horns and go for it mate. You've achieved quite a few things so far and I can see that you're well on the road to accomplish much more. Nice one, mate.

      Delete
  36. I beat stage 4 cancer when the docs said I had about a year left. That was 2006 and here I am! With 4 kids and grandbabies on the way I simply did not have time to be sick, let alone die! So I said I wasn't going to and I didn't. It was hell but I'm here and I shout it loud and proud! It's PHENOMENAL to be ALIVE!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow. What you went through must have been a nightmare especially when a doctor tells you how much time you had left but you fought the fight and kept going. You're here today, 7 years later and that's what counts, plus you get to see your children's children too. What a blessing mate. It's great to be alive. Welcome to RPD and I hope you'll stop by again.

      Delete
  37. I agree that some of us don't put enough pride into our accomplishments. Humble has become a chant. Even now, when you ask me what are some of my biggest accomplishments, I'm not sure how to respond. Of course I am very proud of my children...but that is like saying they are little replicas of their father and myself...which thank God, they are not. So, what am I proud of? I guess I'd have to say that along the way I've been given some hard knocks and always been able to get back up and keep going. I'm with Magical Mystical MiMi...it's phenomenal to be alive and beat the odds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie, resilience is a lot in itself! There are a lot of people who everyone looks up to, who fold under the slightest pressure. Not everyone has the power to stand in the day of adversity.

      Something I admire about you is your courage to blog about the battle you are going through with your illness. I would make it recommended reading for anyone needing inspiration to face their own struggles. Thanks for commenting Annie, and hope you'll stop by again soon.

      Delete
  38. Hum guess as much as I try hard to talk bout my achievements I find it hard to share, guess I am made that way and its hard to beat this feeling that holds me back. I think that I still got to fight more and perhaps harder to achieve and meet my targets, perhaps I think that I set my goals to high.. but I'm not giving up. I consider every little tiny step that I make as an achievement and deep inside I know that I'm proud of it.... but I'm still far to do the victory dance yet.
    One thing I'm very proud of myself and guess is now showing is that I have improved my English, 2 years ago I barely could write a good sentence...and here I am!.

    Fantastic post RPD, been one hectic month September! and October is not promising hope to catch up with you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've hit on something important Hotei. We must be careful that we don't set our goals so high that it's impossible for anyone to reach. Because when we don't reach that goal we blame ourselves and see it as a failure but in reality, it was totally unrealistic.
      You've definitely come a long way in regards to writing English. Your blog is a great testimony of that. Thanks Hotei, and keep up the good work mate.

      Delete
  39. Wow, such tough questions. It would take much reflection for the answers, although I will say my best moment was holding in my arms the only child I could have - my amazing son.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm sure you son would agree that this was the very greatest pinnacle of your achievement as well, your master-piece, ha ha ha. Thanks for the comment Donna.

    ReplyDelete
  41. For me it would be fathering, raising and supporting my two beautiful children (now aged 22 and 25) who are both decent, respectful & hard-working young adults. Away from family it would be the publication of my book, 'Tales from the Madhouse' in February 2015.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Always glad to hear of a father who supports his children no matter what the situation. And really good to hear that you've published a book too. Leave the link so I can take a look and for anyone else. Thanks for reading and leaving a reply. All the best with your book too.

    ReplyDelete

Feel free to speak your mind but please keep it respectful.
Disrespect will be happily deleted.
Thanks for posting!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

hostgator coupons