There’s only two people you need to make proud. The 8 year old version of you. Seeing the person you have become. And the 80 year old version of you. Reflecting on a life lived on your terms. A life well lived.
@Gabe Virs Depends on what kind of childhood the person had. but let’s use a common example. Bullying. For some, they become the bully. For whatever reason. But others develop what psychologists call a “hero complex”. They were made to feel small as kids. So they don’t want others to feel defenceless. So the bullied kid takes up MMA and signs up for the military, law enforcement, or simply to be a big brother / Big sister to someone without siblings / role model. In other words, if the 8 year old version of you saw you today. Would they feel safe with you ?? Would that person look at the adult you and say “I want to be like you when I grow up ??”
The harder the conflict. The more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap. We esteem too lightly. ‘It’s dearness only that gives everything its value. — Thomas Paine.