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Being number 1

In our competitive society, there is always ranking. It's not just the gold/silver/bronze medals ranks during sports day. It's about the academic ranking in schools. Who are the top 3 in class. Who are the top 10 in the entire school for this level etc.

Personally, I don't have any aversion to such rankings. It's something to work towards and focus your efforts on. I was lucky to do well in studies and thus had the joy of being in top 3, top 10 rankings in my school years for many occasions. Likewise for some running events, where I managed to go into top 10 in 2 years during my secondary years.

However, I never experienced being ranked number 1. Yes, number Uno. 

Now thinking back to these yesteryears of chasing rankings, I just realised I never got to 1 before. Now, is that important? Maybe, maybe not.  But I wonder how it would had felt, or more importantly, what impact it would had on my life if I had hit the top spot a few times. 

Would it be a lonely thing? Would I become arrogant? Would I lose the drive?

Or is it that important in the first place? 

At current age of 50s, I still want to be number 1, but in a very different way.

I want to be number 1 in how I live my own life. On my terms. Not something ranked against what others expect me to do. Well, what is good or bad definitely takes some form of reference to what others are doing, but being number 1 in your own life must always be on your own terms. Not some arbitrary metric score defined by some strangers.

So how do I get number 1 in life?

List out what is important to me as a person. As a husband, father, son, brother, friend, colleague. As an individual.

Be ready to adjust as I go along this journey, but be very steadfast in motion, and mission. Do not give up, do not settle, but be reasonable and be kind to myself as well. 

There isn't a set amount of money that I must have in my bank accounts, or the set size of my apartment. 

I must reach a stage where I am contented with what I have, while still being excited about life and still have to put effort to hit targets that have meaning for me, or at least, help me grow and be active while doing it. 

Life is meant to be savoured, tasted, experienced in all its glory. Never limit yourself based on what others expect you to do. But always be upright, honest, and have tons of integrity. That is number 1. And that is the most wonderful feeling I believe I can get in this life. 

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