This week’s kick arse question is taken from the book “If², 500 Questions for the Game of Life
If you had to name your greatest accomplishment so far in life, what would you say it was?
Given I’m the author of this blog and in my own mind at least, the much adored almighty Messiah of lemmings, I shall bestow upon thee, not one, but three grand accomplishments (none of which include humility);
First and foremost, my greatest accomplishment is the relationship I have with my family, partner and close friends. Great relationships don’t just happen. They take work, courage, empathy and a sense of humour, but the rewards are without a doubt, worth it.
My second greatest accomplishment is getting through the D word with grace and dignity. You’ll be relieved to know (although not nearly as relieved as Mr X), that re-arranging his manhood, running a key down the side of his car, substituting chocolate with a laxative in his mochaccino or any other vengeful act did not even enter my mind. The only revenge I sort was to live well.
My third greatest accomplishment is actively chasing my dreams both the big, hairy, audacious ones and the little, bald, meek ones.
What accomplishment(s) are your greatest so far? Don’t hold back. This is your chance to unabashedly toot your own horn so go for it!
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Hi Sami
Mmmmm good question.
Surviving the first week of the school hols would rank highly.
Actually, I can really relate to your 2nd having recently separated from my husband after almost 25 years of marriage. I have to say my greatest accomplishment is that through all the horrible mess of it all I’ve always taken the high road and done what I had to to get through ‘today’ with a smile. I have done this for 3 months, 2 weeks and 1 day.
I now know I can survive it. I will survive it.
Thanks for helping realise how proud I am of that.
Phillipa x
One of my greatest achievements in life (if not the greatest) is surviving my college life. I have been working as an IT professional for almost two years and I will never forget all the hardships that I faced while I was in college. All those exams, reports, plus the emotional trauma brought forth by having different relationships with different kinds of people from different walks of life have contributed to the person I have become today.
Thanks for posting the question, Sami! Your accomplishments most certainly are causes for celebration!
My first thought was such a stereotypical one, that I’m almost embarrassed to post it.
My greatest accomplishment(s) in life are my kids. A girl, 23 and a boy, 19, who have grown into truly lovely human beings. I don’t know how much that has to do with me, really, because I do believe that their wonderful-ness is internal, and that they would be who they are no matter where they grew up. But I celebrate them anyway, and give thanks for them every day, and can’t help being proud.
Hi Sami
A a new reader from across the ditch I would firstly like to congratulate you on your entertaining & thought provoking blog.
The answer to your question is an easy one for me – I’d have to say my greatest accomplishment is our noisy, outgoing, inquisitive, & often rebellious (I blame his mother for that) 3 1/2 year old son. Wouldn’t be without him.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wymosteve/3997752908/
In fairness, this was a joint effort – my partner also had a part to play in this…
Looking forward to reading more of your articles – keep up the good work!
Hey Sami, congrats for keeping the laxative away from the mochaccino (no one really deserves poopy pants, do they?). OK, I’m a divorcee, too, so, I can’t really put words in your mouth (or laxative, either). And, keep it up, Phillipa, one day at a time. The sun actually rises, yes? As Sami says, your best revenge is a life well lived! Go girl!
Congrats for the work you’ve done with your family and relationships, too. That says a lot about your character, even if you do drop F-bombs on occasion.
About me? Well, I’m happy to still be on this side of the dirt. Pretty simple, but, man, it’s been a long road.
Great question!
I would have to say that raising my three daughters, maintaining a strong faith, and living on my own in late middle age are my greatest accomplishments thus far.
Great question on which to ponder!
Karen
Hi Sami,
Kids seem to be a popular one here – and speaking as a parent myself, that is very much something I can relate to. Having kids who are turning out to be responsible and loving is very much a wonderful feeling.
More than that, though, I might say that my greatest accomplishment is just simply “being” me. Life is pretty amazing – and I consider it all so incredible that I happen to be here on this earth, at this moment, as who I am. Maybe that’s a bit vague, or over-generalized. Still – what I truly have, in the end, is “me”. This body and soul that represents who I am. And when I truly am “me”, where I connect with that deeper part of “me”, that is a truly great accomplishment – because that’s who I’m meant to be…
Excellent question! My greatest accomplishment so far would have to be changing my negative attitude to a positive one and, as a result of that, starting Positively Present. Now, on to that book I want to write…
Good question Sami, the almighty messiah of lemmings. I like your answers, though I reserve the right to use the mochaccino/laxatives technique on anyone who really pisses me off in the future. It’s a goodie.
I hate to come out with what everyone else says, but the truth is my greatest accomplishment is raising an highly strung, precocious and delightfully stubborn baby/toddler into an always smiling, outgoing, considerate and helpful five year old. He’s still stubborn, but I never said I was a miracle worker! It’s taken a lot of time and love and patience and self evaluation, but I really am proud of my parenting skills and of the person my boy is becoming and it makes me realise the struggle and the anxiety of child rearing are so worth it if you just stick with it. If you don’t take the easy way out and give in to them, but really parent them and be there unconditionally, the road may seem winding at times but eventually the rewards are out of this world.
A close second would be the relationship I have built with my husband. After 13 years we have almost hit the end of the line twice. The fact that we are still in love and together is all thanks to perseverance, forgiveness and being willing to take responsibility for ourselves and each other.
Kelly
@Phillipa
Hi Phillipa. Oh man, I’m feeling for you girl. As Lori said, take heart that it DOES get better. It really does. The fact that you’ve gotten through it so far with your head high proves to me you’ve got what it takes to survive, and more importantly, thrive. Be kind to yourself and take on that age old addage; get through one day at a time. And yes, you should feel proud of yourself for surviving. Thanks very much for stopping by and sharing your story with us.
@Louis
It’s a testament to your discipline and never give up attitude that you made it through. Congrats!
Hi Louis. Yep, college (or as we call it here in Aus, university) sure can require strong survival skills! Between the stress of exams, living on the poverty line, mixing with people from all different walks of life and eating 2 minute noodles for dinner most nights of the week, it’s a wonder we make it through the other side eh?
@Gayze
Thanks Gayze. There are plenty of kids out there who wouldn’t think a great Mum is stereotypical. There’s not a harder job on the planet in my opinion and your kids growing into lovely human beings is unlikely to have happened without your love, support and guidance. Of that, you should be incredibly proud of yourself! THAT’S what I call an accomplishment!
@Steve
Hey Steve, it’s great to have you here and thanks very much. What a cutie your son is and I have to say, he has mischief written all over his face! I can see why you’d class him as your greatest accomplishment. Thanks for dropping by Steve. Hope to see you back here.
@Lori
Hey Lori, in all honesty, it wasn’t always easy to maintain the grace and dignity, but I’m forever grateful I did. How is it possible we could have so many things in common Chicka! Separated from birth, I tell ya!
And yep, it’s an often overlooked fact that simply living is a huge accomplishment in itself. You are one person I know who knows how live a kick arse life!
@Karen
Hi Karen. They are some massive accomplishments for sure and ones to very much be proud of. Good on you. Thanks for stopping by!
@Lance
Hey Lovely Lance. Yes, I can’t say I’m surprised that being a parent has figured prominently as the biggest accomplishments. It’s no wonder either. I can’t imagine your kids could turn out anything but responsible and loving Lance given the role models they have as parents.
Being yourself is a GREAT accomplishment. Love that one. Not everyone feels they can be themselves and it’s always so refreshing to meet people who are. I was only talking about this with my brother a couple of days ago. We both agreed that genuine people who believe in themselves, are not afraid to be themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin really stand out from the crowd. You can see it straight away. You are most definitely one of those people.
@Positively Present
Hey PP. A grand accomplishment for sure. The world would be missing a great gift if you hadn’t started Positively Present, that’s for sure. And yes, get started on that book girl!
@Kelly
Hey Kelly. I mentioned in a previous comment that parenting is the hardest job on planet Earth. You’ve just illustrated beautifully why. I don’t have kids myself, but I’ve heard a very similar perspective from friends and family who do. They all say despite the tough parts, it’s more than worth it.
It’s such a credit to you (and your hubby) that you’ve stuck with it and created a loving relationship. Just like with parenting, the rewards are worth all the ups and downs.