People often talk about what they “deserve.” But what does this really mean? What do we “deserve” in life?
There is a tension in the word “deserve.” On the one hand, aspiring to be deserving of what we want makes us better people, not to mention being far more likely to get what we want. On the other hand, feeling that we “deserve” this or that can lead to a sense of entitlement in life. We should strive to be worthy of what we desire, but without feeling short changed when we do not get what we feel that we “deserve.”
What’s more, we should not feel put out when we do not receive the recognition we feel we deserve. It is important to act as if no one is watching us, to seek achievement, aspire to excellence and to commit good deeds for their own sake, rather than the accolades of the crowd, which are fleeting.
In the final analysis, there is no better reward than the feeling of achievement, progress and self-actualization. It is only when we realize that the validation we receive from the self is the highest form of praise that we begin to properly appreciate the accolades that come from outside.
Here are some of our favorite quotes about what we deserve and the place of external praise, from some of the most accomplished figures in human history.
Read more Deserving Quotes: Deserving Things in Life and Recognition at Spread Great Ideas: https://spreadgreatideas.org/quotes/quotes-deserving/
