When Alexander the Great reached my age, he’d already created one of the largest empires of the Ancient World, was militarily undefeated, and had been dead for eleven years.
That’s the sort of thing that might give somebody the blues initially, but this post is optimistic. Eventually.
Also at my age:
Winston Churchill had been “First Lord of the Admiralty” for four years, and won six military medals.
Shirley Temple had been in 63 films and short features, won an Academy Award, and had been retired from motion pictures for 19 years.
Geeky Bill Gates had been a billionaire for nine years, and created a computer system that would eventually be used all over the world.
But, on the other hand:
Alexander the Great was born a prince to a warrior king, so he got a step up right there. He had the best tutors and, if the Oliver Stone picture is to be believed, the gayest upbringing the Ancient World has ever seen. Also, he wasn’t named “the Great” at birth. He was just Prince Alex until much later. Somebody needs to tell more parents that. Naming your child “Justice” or “Gorgeous” is just wishful thinking about their future. Don’t name your son “Kevin the Great” and cross your fingers.
Churchill was born to an aristocratic family. And remember the World War I ANZAC campaign at Gallipoli? That was his idea. He was removed from the Admiralty because it was such a gigantic clusterfuck.
Shirley Temple had a mother who relentlessly pushed her infant daughter into entertainment in a desperate attempt to get the fame and fortune that had been denied her. Once Shirley grew up, audiences turned their back on her, too. That wouldn’t make for great future family reunions.
Bill Gates’s Microsoft may have put computers on desks, but it created a technological world where competing products could be placed inside those computers. It lead to a decade of slow systems, crashes, delays, overblown company budgets and lower staff wages. All while Gates’s personal fortune expanded. He has around $US66 billion now.
My point is, that nothing comes from nothing. Maybe if I’d had the same upbringing and opportunities as these people, things would be different.
Everything is relative to a degree. If you’re born to a family with social connections and given a private school education, you’ll do better than somebody born in a village as the local blacksmith’s protege. For example, a female peasant in France in the 1400s could rise up to lead the country to military victories, but it helps that two men thought “this girls hears voices? Better introduce her to the local nobleman, then!” Opportunities, people.
So, I’ll celebrate my birthday happily, firstly today with a lunch with my family, then on the actual birthday with a lunch at my workplace. Because that’s who I am.
Next birthday, ask yourself, who am I, and how did I get here? The answer will be interesting, because you’re just as important as anybody else.
Your Common Sense Apple A Week 