Arrogance

Arrogance is thinking you can hike twenty to twenty-five miles a day with forty pounds of gear on your back. It's thinking that you are special because you can go out in the woods alone for four nights. You leave behind the people you love, the life that makes you happy and the things you really want, because you want to be different. You want to think you're better than all the "ordinary" people who wouldn't dream about doing such a thing when, in reality, they are every bit as capable of it, some much better than you, they simply don't want to. They're too busy going about their lives and trying to be happy. Maybe it's time you did the same.

Lesson for age thirty: live the life you have. Take notice of where you are and be happy with that. Walk the path that's put in front of you. Take side trails at your own risk, but remember that without them you'll walk forever in circles. Realize that you can never turn back. The path is marked differently from that direction, and when you look behind you, it will never be as you remembered it. Treat those you meet along the way with grace, respect and enough humility. There is no need to try to impress anyone-- ever. Accept the help that is offered, as for it if you need and always give it willingly. Stop trying to be something from your dreams. Be you. You are better that way.

I realized something similar at twenty, but I let it slide. For thirty, that's all I've got. We'll see what forty says.