IMPROVING your life is a great choice. Grabbing opportunities and having ambition is great.
However, how do we separate “ambition” from “selfishness”?
As we climb the ladder of success we start to cut ties with people we were close to. People you would see almost everyday have become almost like strangers.
Yes, before you parted ways you promised to “keep in touch” but that became difficult with time and distance. You have no more common things like school or an old job to bond over. You barely have time to talk. When the initiative to send a message is done, it takes several weeks to reply.
I missed out on a very important life event of one of my friends due to distance. I tried to find a way to make it but it would have cost too much and I would have missed several work days.
I felt really disappointed in myself the whole week surrounding the event. Was I being selfish? Could I have done more? Could I have made more of an effort?
It seems as though missing important events cannot be helped, no matter how much you say you will balance your work and personal life. Sometimes, the reason is as simple as pure bad timing.
I got to talk to my friend and she said that even though I wouldn’’t be there, she is happy for my success. I am really happy for her, too.
We each have our own stories in life and sometimes those stories don’t overlap. Being a little selfish is necessary to fuel our ambition. Like it or not, it is the truth. It is what keeps us going.
I still feel guilty up to now, but that is a part of the journey. What is important to always keep in mind is to look forward and not dwell too much on negative emotions.
In the long run, the one who really has your back is yourself. (angelica.panaynews@gmail.com)/PN
