Self-worth vs. Success: One and the Same?

Society today tells people that they must overcome great feats in order to be "someone" in the world.  They must have their life plan figured out and must do something unique and of importance.  At an early age many children are subject to great expectations.  When they fail, they are a disappointment.  Children grow up in this "robotic" world that is strict and sometimes harsh.  They grow up with this notion of having to excel at everything.  Parents, teachers, friends, etc. are very complementary and encouraging in their efforts.  Mere acquaintances will even venture to make statements such as "You are such a kind-hearted and wonderful person."  .....How do they know that?  What do they know about you?  ...you may sit there and think...Hold on, they don't even know me! But...do those questions cross your mind?  Of course not.  Little by little you let people make you believe that you are a good person because of what you're doing in life.  The truth is never revealed.

I did not take the time to think about this until this year.  Why so late?..Because I was always busy trying to accomplish yet something else!  What finally made me realize that my whole life I had been living this lie? Having hours upon hours of conversations about medical school...and only medical school.  Quite honestly, I'm tired of relaying the same information over and over again.  I know many people care about me and want the best for my future, but how about asking me something else?  Would they even know what to ask me?  For all people know...that's what defines my life right now.  This could not be further from the truth.

Acceptance and growth are who I am right now.  The way I have come about this has been through self-inquiry and prayer. 

Start by "seeing" how you handle life on a day to day basis.  Are you a leader/follower?  Do you make decisions quickly or are you indecisive?  Do you trust people or are you hesistant, why is that?  A temperaments quiz was suggested for me to take.  It is very reliable and is used by many.  You must sign up for an account (it's free).  Answer the questions as if you were 10 years old again, however.  You must show your natural tendencies without any biases you may have now.  Soon you'll start to realize different aspects about yourself that you may not have not noticed before.

After realizing all of this, the next step is acceptance and separating yourself from your work.  If you find yourself getting anxious about papers, exams, work, relationships, finances, etc...take a moment to tell yourself this: "What I am doing right now is NOT who I am...it is simply a task/worry that will resolve itself soon."  Try to put a wall between you and whatever hardship you're going through.  I know it sounds silly, but try it!  I finally did and it has made a world of a difference. 

And guess what?! You may be completely different than your career/successes portray you to be.  I know I am :)  Let's play a little game, shall we?  Based on the four temperaments: sanguine, melancholic, phlegmatic, and choleric (descriptions on the website)...which one/ones do you think I am?  Just comment below :)

The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self - Albert Einstein