This is probably the best lesson to learn in life. Love yourself. Forgive yourself. Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.

My mother used to tell me that I was a genius but I ignored her because she was a little crazy (literally).

I think we should all try to find out what we are good at and try to improve that. The more I read HN the more I get humbled into knowing that I don't know or understand much in terms of the complex world we live in. I don't even approach genius, nope not even close.

I used to get depressed thinking about what I could have become. And as I approach retirement (4 years out) I have had many thoughts of regret for what could have been. But now I seem more comfortable in being me, in being what I had and have not accomplished and being okay with that.

For me the big accomplishment has been raising a family that is well adjusted and loving.

Which, for such a relatively common outcome, is no small thing.