Who are the only two people you want to make proud of you?
The Two People You Must Make Proud: You at 8 and You at 80
We live in a world where we are constantly pressured by the expectations of those around us: parents, family, friends, society. Since childhood, we are taught that we must make others proud, not disappoint, and conform to imposed standards. But if we stop for a moment and truly think about the meaning of our lives, we realize that there are only two people we must truly make proud: our 8-year-old self and our 80-year-old self.
The Child Within You – The Mirror of Innocence and Dreams
Think of the child you were at 8 years old. That child who believed in magic, who imagined entire worlds without being limited by fear or societal norms. What did you dream of back then? What made you happy? What excited you so much that you lost track of time?
If that child were to look at you today, would they be proud of who you’ve become? Have you kept your curiosity, your joy of discovery, your desire to explore the world and play? Or have you gotten caught up in routine, obligations, and fears?
The child within you is not concerned with money, social status, or power. They want to know if you have stayed true to yourself, if you had the courage to dream, and if you’ve kept the spark of enthusiasm alive.
You at 80 – The Mirror of Wisdom and Regrets
Now imagine your 80-year-old self. That person who has lived an entire life, accumulated experiences, joys, hardships, and lessons. What advice would the elderly version of you give? Would they be proud of the path you’ve chosen?
You, at 80, will not regret your failures, but the moments when you didn’t have the courage to try. You will not regret the obstacles encountered, but the opportunities you ignored out of fear. You will not be sad for the mistakes made, but for the dreams abandoned too early.
If the elderly you were to look at you now, they would ask: “Did you live the life you wanted, or the one others wanted you to live?”
Live in a way that both of you can be proud of
The true measure of success does not come from the outside, but from within. If your 8-year-old self and your 80-year-old self are proud of you, it means you have lived well.
Have you kept the innocence and the desire to explore within you?
Did you have the courage to follow your passions and live authentically?
Did you create memories that at 80, you’ll look back on with satisfaction, not regret?
Life is a journey, and the final destination is not material success or the approval of others, but the peace of mind knowing that you lived the way you wanted to.
Ask yourself every day: “If today the child within me and the elderly version of me were to look at me, what would they say about me?”
If the answer makes you smile, then you’re on the right path.
Live in a way that both of them can be proud of you.
