The only metric of success that really matters is the one we ignore

LOVE

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I was born in the Dominican Republic, but I spent most of my childhood living between Nicaragua and the US. I graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's in business administration. I also have an MBA from Babson College.

I have always enjoyed using the internet to learn new things, stumbling upon amusing articles, finding helpful websites, and reading the thoughts and behaviors of successful people. As a kid I would frequently visit websites like Quora, TED, Reddit, Quartz, Product Hunt, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist.

I used to spend countless hours in Quora, asking and answering questions. A couple of days ago, I came across a short essay I had written 10 years ago, titled :

“ A letter to my future self”

Dear FutureMe,

Hopefully, ten years from today(Dec 2013), you will have become a better version of yourself compared to when you wrote this letter. It is my wish that you find happiness in your current circumstances and are fulfilled by your choices and accomplishments. May you have made positive changes and undertaken endeavors that fill you with pride. I hope you have found stability in your life and are genuinely content. It is possible that your physical appearance has transformed, along with your attitude and perspective on life. Will you have remained on the path you set for yourself, or will you have taken a different direction? I hope that you have embraced opportunities that pushed you beyond your comfort zone and that you are proud of the person you have become.

A letter to the past: an echo to the future

I have to admit I desired a smoothly interconnected life, like a beautiful puzzle where all the pieces would fit perfectly together. I often believed that solving individual problems would lead to a sense of completeness. However, the reality is that there will always be missing pieces in my life. This can make it challenging to thrive in a world where things are constantly changing and coming together, only to fall apart again.

In our busy lives, filled with various activities like talking, moving, and scrolling, I rarely took the time to simply sit and be alone with my thoughts. This reluctance probably stemmed from the fear that such introspection would make me more aware of the uncertain and unstable nature of life.

Instead of constantly seeking external solutions and improvements, I should have taken the time to reflect on myself and see if I could find what I needed from within. When we let go of the notion that something better is always elsewhere, we can start to appreciate and enjoy where we are in the present moment.

Today, I know that living fully and embracing our humanity means facing the uncertainties and unpredictability of life. To truly live life to the fullest, we must embrace the constant changes and challenges that come with it. It means being open to new experiences and being willing to adapt to the unexpected. Living fully is an art that requires learning to be comfortable in the midst of the unknown.

Approach everything from a place of love, nonaggression is such a powerful force that can bring about positive change in the world. On the contrary, aggression is the root cause of famine, starvation, and cruelty on a personal level. Holding onto our opinions with aggression, regardless of their validity, only contributes to the negativity and suffering in the world. In order to create peace and end conflict, it is important to let go of hatred towards others, regardless of their actions. By recognizing that our opinions are subjective viewpoints and not a justification for amplifying negativity, we can cultivate a sense of compassion and transform adversity into growth opportunities.

As we move forward, my advice would be to follow your curiosity, speak your mind, and honor your deepest values and principles. Always think about the deeper "why" you are doing something. Never forget, health is more important than wealth and all you need is:

Love.

-Bernardt