like a voice from some divine deity, u emerge with this, after a long absence (or so i thought, havent seen u for a while here), and ... i've nothing to say, i'll just bow to that voice.

ignorance?

and our misinterpretations of what we exactly want

Wow, you are the only person I know that says living is not a competition!

Actually, I don't care to keep up with the Joneses, either; so I don't live competively; however, sooooo many people brag about their children's achievements (many lieing about it) that now, when my children actually do do something cool, I will tell them about it, too!
My kids once asked me why when some parents just went on and on and on about their kids, why I didn't say anything about them; I felt bad; I told my kids I would if the other person would take a breath! My kids said, "Then do it! We do have achievements, too." I told them to also remember to always let their achievements speak for themselves, too, to do and show; but I also told them that we must, unfortunately, advertise ourselves a bit as some people need to be told because they are too silly to realize when certain people do work, or achievements, and others brag they did it when they didn't -- I mean, let's face it, some people just don't comprehend and are very influenced by what people say. Too many people in my opinion. Then again, there are people who only think you work because and when they see you -- even if the work gets done.

Sorry to rant.

I Artman, can I call you Scott? Yes, work should be it's own reward; in other words, it makes you feel good; but it is a fact of life, I see all around now, one does have to toot one's own horn a bit in order to get noticed or get lost in the crowd!

I have seen it too much. Someone works and does great work and does it well and consistently, but the person who brings good attention to himself and may not do such great work as you or as well or as consistently, gets the promotion.

So, that is a bit of competition there, isn't it?


Life!

I've often found myself in the middle of a competition without even having known there was anything to compete about, much less being informed about the rules.

Does that happen to everybody, or is it just me?

Fate, I feel that one can help fate along and in doing so make one's own fate! But, yes, I do recognize that at certain times and places, one must recognize that it is time to take action or else the opportunity is lost - so that is what I consider "fate."

One can make or attempt to make one's own opportunity, yes, and hopefully succeed. The mindset must be firm and say, "I make my opportunity!" Belief must be firm. This influences or makes "fate."

I also recognize that some people just have things handed to them, don't even or ever realize anything, they are just at the right time and place and "fate".

What a wonderful world we live in!

Rembrandt may have died in poverty, but he must have loved what he was doing! For some people, it is enough to do what you want to do and they honestly do not care about wealth, just having the means to do what they want and enough to stay alive makes them happy.

Concerning "ego", actually, I believe what people mean to convey is "bad personality". For example, some people say person A has an ego because person A speaks derisively of everyone but himself and considers himself to be better than everyone else; this is an unpleasant personality. Even if, as in the case of Rembrandt, it is actually true, well, people don't want to be around people like that.

Rembrandt should have been nicer to everyone and complemented them, too, so they would complement and interact with him and learn from him and he from them because everyone, no matter how talented or nontalented, has something to learn from someone else; and it is fun, too.

I don't know if everyone has the same size ego.

Hmmm, I am going to be thinking about this ego concept.

Night!

Very, very true. We are all in the race together. We can all achieve the same prize. Can't we help one another get it, instead of hip checking them out of the race?

you better believe it!

It seems to me that people who are envious of people or jealous do so because they wish to have the condition, thing, or talent, they are envious or jealous of or the envious person really wants a thing.

For example, someone is envious because someone does better at something than they, themselves, do as a result of themselves wanting to be able to do that thing, jealousy or envy result. It is funny how many people don't realize this! So many people say they are just jealous individuals and don't know why suddenly in a conversation they suddenly become full of the jealous emotions!!!!!!

As for adoring people, that is just the human condition in most. Most people are "built" to follow others!

I am sorry you were hung in effigy! Wow, I thought that only happened in the movies or in real life to political figures!

People with "special abilities", well, I am sure they work at them, too, in order to get better. Some just have an easier time doing it than others due to genetics.

Isn't it great, though, that we live in a world that even those without "special abilities" can do anything and work at it and get as good as they can at it. This growing is what is important, ability or not!!! Some of these people, through hard work, may achieve the same degree or more of "talent" as those of a born genius.

Here we also get into the "fate" discussion! Two people may be equal in all manners, but one just has connections and thus gets more fame, money, or followers -- whatever they are after; or, conversely, a person may have more people around him or her who geniunely care and therefore help that person achieve more; or the person may be multi-talented in such a way that helps promote his or hers other talents.
So many variables -- perhaps fate is just a variable.

Perhaps there is a goddess of fate still out there, watching, too!

Cool! All is good!!!!

Wow, I didn't know that, either.

But, I got to admit, being admired is very nice -- and it is addictive!

i agree with ur comment above at the top of the post, it is our life to live, and we need to live it, not compete with it

simplifying life would be nice, but when is that ever going to happen...not in this lifetime that i know of at least, especially with the way the government is going

it's good to give some time of one's life for a just cause.live and let live:)

yeah it does, don't it.