In listening to (literally) a life story today, I felt that someone with a lot to be proud of wasn’t content with their accomplishment. By which yardstick was their accomplishment deficient – an internal or external one? I’m still not sure.

At various points in my life, a snapshot self-evaluation would have highlighted mistakes made, improvements needed and failures of courage. Looking back now, I feel I did the best I could given who I was, what I understood, and the values I had. Today, I’m a different person. My values have evolved and I’m much more principled and able to act in accordance with them.

I’m content to be who I am – so long as I’m striving to be the person I aspire to be. Better than before is both a journey and a place of contentment.