Well, V, I am not going to "lie", it is true that people tend to follow and be drawn to those that make gains and do well, that is simply how we are designed, we can even see that in our lower primate friends as well. However it isn't always "a good deal" for the one that "is" thriving and doing well. After a while he/she begins to realize the "following' isn't about really "being liked", it is often more about what others can take of him/her and use for themselves. The other problem is the person who has gained still has to "push his/her own envelope" to keep and maintain that "high position" which is also "not so easy and often stressful".

I remember growing up that in my sister's class there was a young man that just seemed to have it all. He was very good looking, and popular and so many looked up to him or wanted to "be like him". However that popularity kept pushing him to "keep producing more and more". When he got a car, he began to drive it fast and had to keep his position and beat others and "push the edge constantly". I remember him speeding down our street so fast and his car was loud. He ended up pushing too far and his life ended when he hit a tree not far from the high school.

In my brother's class a similar thing happened there too. Again the popular guy and the creme of the crop also had to push the edge to "stay on top". That ended with them drinking a bit too much and this popular guy driving fast also hit a tree and his best friend was decapitated and the girlfriend valdictorian went through the windshield and lost her mental capacity. This "popular guy" was never the same either, he became a very troubled person for the rest of his life, riddled with guilt.

My husbands class, same thing there too, the five "most popular" another car, and a tree and only one walked away, and was left crippled in every way, physically and mentally.

Be careful what you ask for V, it is not always such a pretty picture from the top.

The one statement I always remember, it is not about the end of the journey, it is about the journey that makes life so interesting. It really doesn't have to be all about "being the best", we all seem to think that is important, but while "successes are enjoyable and rewarding" we really don't have to "be the best" to have a productive life.

Open Eyes