If you ask around on what people consider to be worth being proud of, you'll get diverse opinions. I won't be surprised if people say gaining admission into a prestigious university, closing a major deal, being able to afford everything they desire, having a first class degree, being a successful entrepreneur… It could be anything. One person's opinion might seem insignificant to another person but it doesn't make it invalid.
When it comes to things we're proud of, it's totally personal. No one can truly understand how we worked hard for that one thing that we are so proud of, what it takes, what we went through. Personally, I have a number of things about myself that I'm so proud of but here's the one thing that I have always done, an attribute that I have that is so rare - a supportive spirit.
I supported a friend in a really tough time. A moment when he was hiding, scared, in a big mess and had no idea what to do. He wasn't the best friend and I was so hurt during that period but today when I look back at everything, I smile at myself.
The thing about life is that life can flip on anyone at any time. You may have a bank account full of money that's enough to take care of you for an entire year, investments that are doing so well but the next hour you could lose it all. If you meet anyone in this situation, the important thing in that moment is not how they didn't check on you. If someone loses an endearing person, what's important in that moment is not the money they owe you. It's how to keep that person alive that is more important. If the person dies, how would you get your money?
This is in no way what happened but I'm trying to paint a picture here. When people are in crises and they already feel like it's the end of life's journey for them, it's important to keep aside everyother thing that's not more important than their situation and offer them the solace they need. If you can't do that, it's fine but do well not to add salt to injury. If you tend to worsen the situation, you'd be surprised at how quickly you'll help a person die.
For a few years I wanted to further my education and I did try everything possible to gain admission. I focused, I studied, I prayed. As a great planner that I am, I started buying things I needed in school with the hope that admission would come but it didn't and I started using up the things I bought. It was 4 years of constant ridicule, comparison, depression and sadness but if you ask my friends, it was 4 years of being a solution to their problems, being a great and supportive friend, celebrating their successes with them.
I didn't shut them out because they had what I didn't, I didn't envy them. I was there when everyone needed me, I didn't lose myself, it was overwhelming but it didn't consume me totally. I always feel like that's why I never get in a situation and not experience a miracle. It takes great courage to be happy for people who have something you don't, to keep going on when everytime you're doing that people are giving you reasons why you shouldn't. It's like a woman who's been married for years without a child attending everyone's baby christening and showing up with a lovely present every time while everyone uses her as an example when talking about infidelity but she stands tall regardless.
My spirit is second to none, I am super proud of myself for being there for others on days I felt extremely low. My reward certainly did come.
