Yes, his statement wasn’t “polite,” but I didn’t feel he was trying to be nasty or rude. I assumed he was mainly surprised that I hadn’t been more “successful” in life, that I hadn’t achieved more. In fact I had always been highly motivated, but not interested in what most people thought of as success and achievement. It goes back to Thoreau’s,
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
For me it wasn’t striving for something, it was a feeling that I had a path in life and I could tell when I was on it and when I wasn’t. So when he was expressing his values it was all right. It’s not something I hadn’t thought about in the past, but I had no doubt that I was doing what was right for me. And that was a great feeling. It was something to be treasured.
July 30, 2026
I like that quote. It’s good that you didn’t take the comment as an insult. I think that just proves that you were happy with the path that you were on
🙂
Yay!!!
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Few of us ever live up to the potential others might see in us but their expectations are based on their values and goals, not ours and like Thoreau suggests our true happiness comes from following our own drummer. I only know you through your blog but my sense of you is that you are a nerdy soul who loves learning new things just for the sake of learning new things. And that’s a magical way to live.
Yes, the joys of being a nerd. 🙂
It all depends on how you define success, doesn’t it?
Yes, and not worrying about not fitting other people’s expectations.
You are a gracious person. I find the comment rude and your response (none) the best thing you can do regarding rudeness.
Thanks. 🙂
Gracious, yes! I probably would have wanted the last word.
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I’m sorry – still didn’t like that comment!
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…how should we measure success?
We have to figure that out for ourselves.
Regardless, I thought it was funny!
🙂