It's been about five years since I made the decision not to go to school. I remember that time vividly. I felt like I needed to find something I could dedicate my life to, something I was truly passionate about. School didn't seem to offer me what I was looking for. It was cool to be there though. You know, the parties, the girls, the freedom, it gave me a taste of what life could be like. I wanted a life filled with adventure, purpose and fulfillment.

Initially, the decision felt empowering. I felt like I was taking control of my own destiny. I envisioned a future where I would excel in a craft, honing my skills day after day until I reached a level of mastery. I craved greatness, a sense of accomplishment that would be admired by both myself and society.

However, as time passed, doubts began to creep in. I started to question whether I truly had what it takes to achieve greatness. The difficulty of the task started to sink in. I faced a truth I was not ready to face: I did not have the ability to do this yet. The belief in my own abilities waned, and I found myself comparing my progress to that of others. I fixated on their success, feeling inadequate in comparison.

This comparison was toxic because it was not true. I was doing a mixup. I compared the results I was generating from scratch with the results of people who never boycotted the system. It was absurd. It made me doubt my own potential and led me to feelings of regret. More than anything it crippled my ability to learn. It took my eyes away from what was primary for me to create my destiny. Having my eyes on others meant they were off mine. Instead of focusing on my own journey I became consumed by what others were doing, others who were being helped by the system, a system I was blatantly against. I lost sight of my own goals and aspirations.

One area where I figured this comparison out and it hit me hard was my fitness journey. I had friends who started their fitness journeys years after me, yet seemed to make faster progress. Seeing their gains was both inspiring to me and at the same time disheartening. I wanted to be happy for them, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was falling behind. It started feeling like I was jealous and this started weighing heavily on my soul.

It took me a while to realize that comparing myself to others was holding me back. I needed to shift my mindset and focus to my own progress. I needed to celebrate my small achievements, no matter how small they seemed in comparison to others. This would then help me become consistent in making them, resulting in a culmination that equals what I wanted in the first place. Taking my attention away from my progress would therefore by definition stall my progress. This shift in mindset is transformative. Instead of dwelling on what others were doing, I started to pour all of my energy into my own pursuits. I focused on what I was doing, dedicating myself to improving every single day. And slowly but surely, I began to feel my own progress.

But this mindset shift wasn't just about my fitness or my craft, it was about life as a whole. I realized that comparing myself to others was just a recipe for unhappiness. This has been hinted at in the bible. If you read Exodus 20:17 it states, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." This in simple terms means do not focus on what others have and focus on your own.

This verse resonates with the theme of comparison and envy discussed in this letter. Just as coveting what belongs to others can lead to discontentment and distraction from one's own path, comparing oneself to others' achievements can similarly undermine personal fulfillment.

By adhering to the wisdom of Exodus 20:17 and focusing on celebrating one's own journey rather than coveting the success of others, individuals can find greater contentment and satisfaction in their lives. We all have our own unique journeys, and comparing them only serves to undermine our own accomplishments.

I dropped out of school because I wanted to forge my own path, free from the constraints of traditional education. But I found myself constantly looking back, wondering if I had made the right decision. I compared myself to my peers who were still in school, and it made me doubt myself.

But I've come to realize that my journey is my own. I don't need to measure myself against anyone else's standards. I have my own goals, my own aspirations, and my own definition of success. And as long as I stay true to myself and continue to work hard, I know that I'll find the fulfillment and purpose I've been searching for.

So this is all to say, it is good to make a commitment to yourself to focus on your own journey. I've stopped comparing myself to others and started celebrating my own success and you should do the same. And while the road ahead may be long and challenging, always know that as long as you stay true to yourself, you’ll find the greatness you've been searching for.

See you in the next one.

— King George