One of my parents proudest moments...

So, 22 years later and my parents finally reap the full reward for the effort they have put in. On the same day, their eldest graduates from the University of Durham with a 2:1 MEng and their second eldest finds out they got a 1st in politics and philosophy at the University of York.

So excitemement levels are high. Their first graduation ceremony. My mum hasn't been able to sleep. She is babbling with excitement and keeps laughing almost hystrerically! The whole experience is something new for them. A novelty, a first time, one of the most important moments in their life.

What it is to be first child...Not that i doubt the equality within my family. I am old enough to realise there are no favourites. But it can be hard being the third, and my sister the fourth. Nothing is quite so...exciting...new...novelty. I will be their second durham graduate, they will be used to the cermony, been there done that, and bought the photo.

So what do i conclude from this? Well of course i look to others for support. Of course i aim to make others proud and happy. But as soon as i make that my focus in life, i am doomed to fail. There are only two people i am accountable in my life. Me, and God. I have my own goals, i have my own aims, and i strive towards them with all i am. They are not aims to do better than anyone else, or get one over on anyone. They are signs of me fulfilling my potential and working to the best of my ability. And sometimes (very often) i fail. And when i do, i get straight back up again and keep on going, without even a glance to anyone else. That is how i try to be....

Thought for the Day: 'This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man (Hamlet)