I believe that there is no uniformity when it comes to significant achievements in life. It is never a straight forward one-plus-one-equals-two scenario. Each journey is as unique as the fingerprints on every person’s hand. That’s why ‘some are born great; some achieve greatness while others have greatness thrust upon them.’ 

Think of it this way: Let’s say, three people, namely Ann, Ben and Cat, decide to travel from Zimbabwe to South Africa departing at the same time. Each selects the mode of transport based on the resources at their disposal. Ann decides to go by air; Ben opts to go by road, and Cat settles for rail. Naturally, the experience of the journey will differ based on the choices made by each person. Yet each route has its advantages. 

• Ann will enjoy a short and swift journey.
• Ben will have the flexibility to divert his route easily but still get to his destination, albeit much later than Ann.
• Cat on the hand will be the last to arrive; however, she will enjoy a close look at nature as railway lines often meander deep into the forests away from communities.

The same happens in life. When you see others running progressing ahead of you, don’t be discouraged. It’s not a competition. At the end of the day, what matters in the example above is that everyone made it to their destination. So stay on your path, stay positive and enjoy the ride. 

In my little corner, I have peers who are soaring high with eagles as we speak; meanwhile, I feel like I am still paddling the waters alongside ducks. Yet who knows what tomorrow holds? I might be puddling today, but if I continue playing in the water soon, I could be swimming the high seas alongside the majestic blue whales. After all, not all great and mighty animals fly!