“Our vanity, our self-love, promotes the cult of the genius,” Nietzsche said. “For if we think of genius as something magical, we are not obliged to compare ourselves and find ourselves lacking. . . . To call someone ‘divine’ means: ‘here there is no need to compete.”
― Angela Duckworth, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance”
If you want to be let off the hook, just assume that the reason you’re not doing the thing you want to do, living the life you want to lead, is because it’s just not in the cards for you. Certain people are more gifted than you, they’re “born to do this” and therefore you shouldn’t even waste your time trying.
If you want to be ON the hook, take responsibility and give yourself agency. Be awed and inspired by other’s great achievements. Not jealous or envious. Decide that this is what you love to do and you will do it, no matter what. (I’m not talking about commercial success by the way. I’m talking about love of the thing for the thing itself.)
If you’re looking for a mantra (and a role model) to repeat over and over….
“To hell with circumstance. I create opportunities.” -Bruce Lee
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