Never settle for anything less

Let me start with asking you, how much are you worth? For many this must be a very familiar question that we have asked ourself so many times. So many times, only to devalue and assume we are not of so much worth, if not worthless. Many times, when we hear words that could potentially discourage us. Many times, when we tend to believe that the world has so much to do more than what we are already doing.

It is very obvious that no man or woman can outgrow everyone else in everything else, because you can never name one person who is world number one in everything. World’s #1 athlete, Usain Bolt can not be the world’s #1 billionaire, Bill Gates. No one can be an athlete and a judo champion at the same time. Of course you can be good at a few things but never at everything together. We often forget this fact and dive into too many things and never succeed in anything. Instead of looking at what others do or are good at, I think we should look at what best we can do.

It’s good to be #1 in everything. It’s good to score 100% in everything. It is good, but that is never going to define your worth. If everyone in this world were measured on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest, how many do you think would score 10? Do you also think the score of 10 is only going to make a difference? No, never. Your worth is not measured on a scale of 1 to 10 of the end result but measured on a scale of how best you can do what you can. A disabled running 100 meters in 150 seconds would be equally worth a champion finishing the same distance in 15 seconds.

“If only” is also a phrase I think we should try and avoid. Many times we ruminate on what we lack more than on what we have. Had I an opportunity to join a reputed university, if only I had some one train me in sports when I was still in school, if only I was able to afford to learn driving or had I been a working mom are some of the thoughts that come in our mind often. Ok, we lacked opportunities, so what? Are we not having so much going forward? This world is full of opportunities if you are able explore and are passionate about moving forward, and, it is never too late.

Quite often I have seen people measuring their performances with someone else’s scale. I have my own definition to success. My own definition to happiness and my own definition to everything in my life. The way I measure my own success is not with the scale this world pushes on me. I wouldn’t bother if someone came to me and told me that I was not doing well. I know my worth. I know what progress I make. And I know why I am what I am. If you can define your worth, no one else can define that for you.

Over the years I have learnt to treat people kindly, irrespective of their age, gender, race, religion or profession. I would never intentionally hurt someone to an extent that makes them feel inferior. Not even if someone was my enemy. I never want to think that I’m superior to someone else. I have, without intentions, hurt people’s feeling with the words that made them feel inferior. Without an ego I have apologised as soon as I realized my mistake. What I am today is not all by me. There are many good hearts in my life that helped me in my journey this far.

If I had to request you to do one thing, it would be to be good to everyone else, always, by never hurting anyone’s feelings and make them feel inferior. Whenever possible, make someone feel superior and that is the way to grow!

Finally, share this with someone who you think needs to know their worth. Be a lion! Be a lioness! Never settle for anything less!