Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 28oC, hot and sunny.
I had another big day, even though it wasn’t planned that way.
I got up early and went to the park for an intense workout. Afterwards, I stopped by the Portuguese bakery for a coffee and to journal. Nowadays, I write about 90% of my journal entries at the bakery in the morning.
Even though people are always coming and going, I sometimes put on my headphones at a low volume and listen to “Message to the Bears,” a Canadian group. I write and write and write, not knowing what the people in the bakery think of me. Maybe they see me as a crazy old gringo coming in every day, sitting down at the same table, and never eating anything. Sometimes, I leave a tip after paying, and then I’m gone.
On weekends, I usually buy bread and sparkling mineral water. Sometimes, I also buy cheese and ham to take home. When I come back, usually everyone is still sleeping or just getting up. But this time, surprisingly, everyone was already up. After returning, I showered, changed, and rested a little. I had been up since 5 am, and now it is 11 am, so I am tired. I tried to rest, but I was restless. Then, I thought it would be a good idea to prepare my very first post for “The Long Gringo.”
I started at about 11:30. Instead of preparing the post, I posted what I would post on Monday. But why? I asked myself, why wait? Why procrastinate? A voice told me to post now, so I did.
At around 4:30-5:00 PM, I posted my first blog post for my blog, “The Long Gringo,” which I created and built myself. A feeling of pride and realisation came over me – it was terrific. It took at least 4 hours to make my first blog post, but it was live in seconds once it was done and ready. Another barrier had been broken, and another met.
Without a doubt, the first post will have some basic blogging faults. However, it’s just a matter of time and experience. I can always go back in the future to correct or rearrange what was. The most important thing at this moment is that I’m moving forward. I’m not stopping, and I’ve achieved an important goal. Although we reach a goal, we cannot stop. We cannot relax, pause, or wait. We have to continue and move ahead.
I intended to prepare the posts today for posting on Monday. But why wait? They’re ready now. It’s best to do it now instead of waiting until later. My posts are prepared, so why wait two days to begin on Monday when everything is ready now? The best time to do anything is now, not tomorrow, not next week, but now.
After posting the blog post, I told Nalva, Yasmin, and Jessica, and they were very happy for me, even though they didn’t fully understand its importance to me. Sometimes, our achievements are significant to us internally, even if others don’t fully grasp their significance. This is okay because the primary importance of our accomplishments should be for our internal validation, not external validation. If you do something that people don’t fully appreciate but is important to you, it’s okay. It’s nothing personal; they may not understand its importance to you.
This is my blog. It looks very nice for now. Maybe it will look better in the future; I’m just beginning. But what is it for? Will this make money? These are the kind of questions that people close to me ask. Maybe I’m spending a lot of time and money on something that is basically or could be a waste of both. The truth is that only I know the importance of this achievement and the sacrifice that I have made to get here.
I know PhD intellects who went into depression after obtaining their PhD certificates. Despite so much sacrifice and expectation, they discovered that few or almost nobody treated them differently because of their achievement. It took them at least five years of sleepless nights and much dedication, not counting all the other years of study before.
They had the misconception that by becoming a PhD, people would see and treat them differently than before, but it didn’t happen. Yes, in some circles, some people understand and appreciate the sacrifice and discipline required to achieve a PhD. But the majority of people don’t.
This is the same in relation to our own personal achievements. Sometimes, even though these goals offer us fulfilment, we think they will make us different in the eyes of others, and usually, it’s not the case. So why be disappointed? Our goals and objectives should always be for us; we know their importance, even though others don’t.
Our goals, achievements, conquests, etc. – only we know what it took to reach the top of the hill. Knowing this, forget external validation from others, but validate yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back, congratulate yourself, value what you have achieved, and use it as fuel for the next one and the future.
If someone recognises your achievement, that’s great. It’s a milestone in your life. Thank them and be grateful. However, your own validation and valuing yourself for what you have achieved is 100 times more important and valid.
It’s another great day. Let the posts roll out, and let’s see what happens. It’s all good, it’s all profit, it’s all proactive, it’s all part of the big wheel of life. Just do it.
As I’m not drinking, I’m not able to drink wine to celebrate—just an incredible feeling of well-being. Everything is good.
In bed by midnight.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
