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Thursday, May 10, 2007

Great accomplishments

Those who are different change the world. Those who are the same keep it that way. (Bumper-sticker on SUV in Books-a-Million parking lot)



Can't we find the most profound things in the simplest places?

I spent some melancholy time today. I do that occasionally. Sometimes, I need time alone to own my thoughts -- all of them -- good, bad, ugly, insecure, conceited, lonely, lively, pensive, petrified thoughts.

I thought about the beat that my drummer plays out in my head. It's a complicated rhythm, but I like it alot. It's unconventional, but suits me perfectly. It's different. And I'm completely cool with that.

I interviewed for a promotion today. Maybe I'll get it, maybe I won't. I want to be okay with either option. I want to be that serene person that just enjoys the moment, regardless of what it is. Maybe someday, but I'm too competitive most of the time to truly not care what happens.

But, I digress....

In the interview, I was asked to tell about what I thought were my 3 greatest accomplishments -- be they professional, personal, academic, whatever.

I had a hard time with that. I hadn't really anticipated that question, although I probably should have.

The question was hard because I don't think I've had my 3 greatest accomplishments yet. (Yes, it sounds absurd, but I haven't.) One of the interviewers said that she thought 3 college degrees was amazing. But, really, college was easy. Yes, I stressed some, but I never had any doubts about my abilities to pass those classes. College was a stepping stone -- all three times. I have a great family, but my step-kids are great partly because we are all a team and partly because of luck. So, what are my 3 big things?

It's true. I haven't had them yet. No wonder I was melancholy today.

I decided that I should determine what I want my 3 greatest accomplishments to be so that I can shoot for them.

1) Win a Rita (or 2)
2) Write a NY Times Best-seller
3) Live deeply in love with my husband (and him with me) for the rest of our lives.

Oh -- and this: Live my own destiny.


It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection. (Bhagavad Gita)


Macy

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Macy. Another great post. I always get stuck when people ask me about my accomplishments. My first thought is always, "I'm standing here, aren't I? I'm a survivor. I'm here-- I have a phenomenal husband and an adorable kid and I'm alive and I'm not completely nuts -- I keep trying, every single day. and I'm a fricking optimist. That, my friend, is one hell of an accomplishment, but I won't bore you with my back story and why because that's not what you want to hear. You want to know how I raised sales; you want to know about my productivity and leadership skills; you want to know about test scores and efficiency and all kinds of crap that is useful, yes, but I don't give a crap about any of that.'

Ha! Can you imagine the facial expressions in that scenario? I detest that question. Detest, detest,detest.

Let's hear it for living out our destinies, and challenges, and love and Ritas.

Hang in there, kiddo--
Char

Unknown said...

I had another thought on this. Who wants to peak too early? What a drag to have your glory days all behind you. You know those peeps who peaked in high school, and you can tell? We're lucky we have our big ones to still look forward to. Buck up -- when you're ready.

Love ya,
Aly