What’s The Difference? (Update: 01/07/25)

Daily writing prompt
What could you do differently?

A moment of contemplation

01/07/25: Looking back on this post today with a hint of irony, as I am currently taking stock of where I’m at with some things and questioning myself. I don’t really know that I have accomplished what I set out to do. Have I improved? Have I made a difference? Am I different? Have I learned a damn thing?

The end of 2023 and the whole of 2024 was a ride with a lot of baggage and more than a couple rough miles. As I read back on this, I can see the optimism I had and the attempts I was making. Today, frankly, I feel like they are a bar that’s set far too high. But, that’s more my own hangups than anything else.

As I state in the final sentence, it’s a constant work in progress, so in fairness, I guess the bumps are to be expected. However, that doesn’t mean I enjoy hitting them. Here’s to soldiering on in 2025 and doing the best we can.

P.S. The yin/yang featured image is the second one I ever generated on an offbeat historical note.

01/07/24:

This prompt somewhat distills down the reason I started this blog in the first place. I started it on the premise of taking some of the tough lessons I had learned, breaking them down and trying to improve myself. With luck, I hope to help others who deal with some of the same issues I do.

Truthfully, for me, there’s a lot of things I could do differently. But the root cause to most of my headaches has been my tendencies to internalize everything and chase external validation.

2025: Still working on it.

Those are the two things I really need to focus on and I have made some good strides.

In the past four weeks or so, I have learned to appreciate myself a lot more and realize that there are very few opinions beyond my own that mean a damned thing.

Of course, like most other folks, I feel it’s great to be liked, but what I mean here is just plain accepting that not everyone is going to like me. It’s just part of being human.

It’s a constant work in progress, and it’s not always easy, but the difference it’s made so far has been totally worth it.

Keep freaking pushing, folks!


Comments

41 responses to “What’s The Difference? (Update: 01/07/25)”

  1. Be yourself and stay focused on your motivation 💪

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I definitely plan to. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Great you are such a great man bro

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you much, but there’s nothing that great about me, my friend. I’m just another guy trying to do the best he can like everyone else.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. That’s all we need to be great bro

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Excellent point. Thank you, man!!!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. You’ve GOT this xx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  3. You know what you need to focus on, and you understand yourself slightly better now. That’s always a good step in the right direction!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. To be simplified

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Thanks, Melissa. Here’s hoping! lol

      Liked by 1 person

  4. You rule your world and hold the power to determine whose opinion holds water. Make your power count!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you! Yes!
      I certainly care about the opinions of certain people in my life, but I am starting to learn that I don’t have to be concerned about every opinion that comes down the pipeline. Thank you for the feedback!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  5. You become original and true self once you start getting disliked by people😎

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Well, I’ve got the disliked part down fairly well. 🤣

      Liked by 3 people

  6. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    Press forward in prayer and contemplation

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Amen to that. No jokes intended. 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Kevin we are all works in progress my friend.
    Life throws the curve balls when you least expect.
    Ease up on yourself a little.🤗
    We are all doing the best we can as long as we know that, other folks opinions can whistle dixie!
    Tc 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know you’re right. I just have a tough time easing off the gas on myself. Always have. Character Flaw #41 😄

      Liked by 1 person

      1. No character flaws Kevin.😊
        You are enough as we all keep telling you.
        Tc my friend.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Well, we all have flaws. Some of us just have more than others 😄😄
        Thank you, Maggie. 🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      3. We sure do Kevin.🙄🤗🙄
        My pleasure 🙏

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Love the ying yan image btw!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. That’s the second image I ever made. Funny to look back and see it from a year ago lol

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I love it, especially the colours.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you very much. Wasn’t too bad for a second go I guess 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you 🙏

        Liked by 1 person

  9. All any of us can do is try our best. ♡

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re quite right, Nancy. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like enough, I guess.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah, lots of swimming against the tide.
        All the best to you, Kevin! 💫

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you, Nancy. Much appreciated 😊😊

        Liked by 1 person

  10. 🍾 a toast to you for 2025. It is exciting to experience personal growth. Also can be painful! Rooting for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Susan. I’m going to just keep plugging along as best I am able. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  11. You know… I wasn’t going to get online tonight, but I figured I’d check out a few posts real quick: I think that sometimes things really do happen for a reason. I needed to read 2024 Kevin’s words today. Thank you for sharing with us 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Kay. I very glad you liked it and it resonated with you 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  12. “In the past four weeks or so, I have learned to appreciate myself a lot more and realize that there are very few opinions beyond my own that mean a damned thing.”

    👆This is really important. Your opinion of you is the most valuable thing, recognizing your own self-love and self-worth. Everyone gets insecure when they feel like others don’t like them, or perhaps that is just the feeling they have, and it can be totally off. But being secure in ourselves is always the most important challenge we can face. We are often our own worst critics. ❤️ Hope you know I’m so glad for how far you’ve come 😘 and how far you’ll continue to go 🥰

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes, it’s important and of course, the most difficult too. Naturally lol
      I’ve been having a lot of trouble with this one lately, but I think a lot of is is attributed to my current work and schedule situation. It’s been affecting me rather adversely.
      I am trying my best though. Thank you always 💗

      Like

  13. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    I read a book today that contained the concept of always keeping 10% of yourself, for yourself. I think I could have managed something like that better than trying to choose between wanting others to like me and trying not to care at all. It sounds like you’re achieving healthier balances, though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, at one point in time I might have agreed with that, but lately, not so much. I’ve been backsliding due to a number of different factors unfortunately.

      Like

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