Favourite Sayings (Part 1)

Today is a special day for me as I took a bold step health-wise and trusted God to see me through successfully.

But I digress from the topic... This post is a compilation of sayings that have struck a chord in me for one reason or another and my interpretation of them. I have split these into a series of posts, to avoid clutter.

Let's jump in!

I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself...

I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.

- D. H. Lawrence

This quote taught me to keep my head up every time I experienced disappointment; to get back up every time I fell (even if I fell by my own doing); to keep putting in the work even though I see no results; to not pity myself for a "pitiful" situation (even when I got myself there); to not wonder "why me?" about shitty situations that I have no control over.

It's had a significant influence on my adult life, especially the last 3 years which have been full of a roller coaster of emotions - a couple of highs and a plethora of lows.

The heights by great me reached...

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

- H. W. Longfellow

I do not remember exactly when I came across this quote, but it must've been around 2011-2013.

It helped me realize that what stands out great men from others is not always genius or talent, but often times dedication to put in the work when others would relax.

This quote plays a key role in how my thinking about success in life has been shaped.

The journey is...

The journey is the reward

- Steve Jobs

Simple, succinct, but very powerful! This quote taught me that I cannot just aim to get to the finish line. I must enjoy the path that takes me there.

I understood it better when I was addicted to a game called Football Manager. It's essentially a game that allows you to take charge of a football club like a real-life manager.

What I realized was that every time I achieved repeated success, I got bored and looked for something more challenging. But the addiction and fun were in the process of trying to gain success - the feeling of winning the next game; coming back from a goal deficit; bouncing back after a loss; winning a game as an underdog and so on.

Of course, winning titles felt super great as well, but in reality, it was just the cherry on top.

My final takeaway is this - whatever journey you are on, the path that takes you there must be one that you have sold yourself to. Do not be in and out - be all in and bask in it. If you see that you cannot get yourself to bask in it, then it could be that you're on a journey that requires self-sacrifice (and many of such journies are necessary), but it could also be that you're on a journey that is not meant for you.