Recently, an ignorant relative of mine made an interesting comment to my mother. She said it was too bad that I never 'made anything out of' my life. I thought that was rather strange, considering I had published 17 books, worked at various jobs, lived in different provinces, and managed to get through life without being arrested, going bankrupt, or becoming an addict. But I quickly realized that she meant that I hadn't gotten married or had kids. Then I remembered how, upon my return to my home province, she was desperately trying to set me up with a random man, even before my foot touched the soil. I thought it was bizarre at the time but later realized that it was because having any man was better than me walking around being single.
And unfortunately, the longer I live here, the more I feel like that's the case with many things. It doesn't matter if you're talking about jobs, homes, friendships, relationships (apparently), or even businesses. The mentality seems to be that you take what you get and shut up. Take the crumbs thrown your way and be happy. I guess that's why I see so many people who aren't happy and have no intention of extending themselves to do more, be more or have more, and to me, that's sad.
People should know they have value. When people don't think they have value, they take the shit thrown at them and ask for more. This tends to work well for everyone else around you, but maybe not you. And over time, it does wear you down.
I think 2023 needs to be when people raise their expectations for themselves and others. If you settle, it means you feel powerless, and it's never you who benefits from feeling this way, but it sure makes other people's lives easier.
