The Art of Accomplishment

Life is short (you already know that) and the truly remarkable moments in our lives are not as common as we'd hope. If you're like me doing a 9-5 that you have no fondness for, feeling overworked and underpaid sometimes, then the moments are even less than we may expect.

As blissful as a quiet life sounds, its unspectacular nature makes it a hard one to remember. Routine is comforting but it can also become monotonous and boring. We are drawn to the achievements or events that make us either seem like we are special, fulfilled or larger than life. I remember vividly two achievements in my life with very fond memories - winning an academic excellence award back in Primary school and finishing my first marathon back in 2022. They don't sound like much, but for me they represent truly special moments in my life.

These memories tend to stick because of how Special and fulfilled I felt on those occasions. In my three decades, I don't know if I'd be able to list up to 100 similar scenarios that can mirror the way I felt with these two examples, but I do know that throughout the course of my life I will never forget them.

Another thing among the overwhelming majority of my accomplishments is the lack of spontaneity. They were very often the result of a lengthy period planning, making preparations and being consistent over time. Literally none have been an act of serendipity, or at least none I can recall as at now.

I guess the lesson here (if any) is that there won't be much to remember if we choose to embrace what some might call mediocrity. The pathway to escape is simply choosing to do something remarkable and seeing it all the way. Again life is short.