What I’ve come to realize is that I’ve been making sacrifices in order to get ahead. What was ahead? In my mistaken view it was success, financial security, prestige, respect. And I was willing to make the short term sacrifices and put my head down and stay on that path. I look back on the fun I didn’t take part in, the lack of being present in the moment and am filled with regret. When you realize that all the hard work you put in chasing the dollar didn’t leave you in a better financial situation than if you never did it at all is difficult to accept. I realized I would still be loved by family, and friends. I may even have better relationships with friends, family, co-workers. I would perhaps “be” a better person. This train of thought leads to melancholy, a woe is me mentality. But instead I will acknowledge the mistakes made, and learn and grow from them instead of wallowing. This is that acknowledgement. Is this another mistake? I’ll keep you posted.

The new envy is not money , it is happiness. The new measuring stick to see who is “winning” is who is happier. We used to envy those with money and power. Not anymore, now the envy is happiness.