009. Be Grateful And Want More

Two things can be true at once - I firmly believe that two seemingly opposing things can coexist simultaneously.

Love and Hate. You can love your dog, but seething with frustration when he snatches food from the table. The love never goes away despite the annoyance. You can experience love and massive frustration simultaneously.

Risk and Safety. You can be in the middle of the riskiest adventure of your life while increasing your overall security. Starting a business is risky, but it could secure your family's financial future. Firefighters and police run towards danger, all the while increasing the overall safety of the community. Risk and safety go hand in hand.

Competition and Collaboration. Apple and Samsung consider each other rivals, bitter competitors in the smart phone market. They're constantly trying to outdo one another and have been through multiple legal battles. The end result? Cross-licensing agreements, teaming up on supply chain issues, and even manufacturing certain components for one another. Collaborating with your competitor doesn't make them an ally. You can work together and still want to outperform the competition at the end of the day.

Same is true for another idea I've been struggling with.

How can I be grateful for where I am today, when I have this unquenchable thirst for more? When is enough, enough?

I don't have the all the answers. I think everyone's "enough" is different and some of us will never know enough. That journey is perpetual. I've come to accept that.

Lastly, I had to realize that both notions can coexist within me: I can cherish how far I've come, while simultaneously yearning to push further. I can be grateful and want more.

You can appreciate where you're at today. You can also desire more and realize that desire may never leave. However, don't let the desire for more diminish your gratitude for today. And don't allow today's gratitude to steal from tomorrow's aspiration.