Life on a platter is easy.
I’ve been reading Manchester’s biography of Winston Churchill, and one thing strikes me: the ease at which he could interact with Parliament members and even royalty. It makes sense that he went on to accomplish so much, to lead the nation in its darkest hour, to become the lion that he is.
I don’t want to discredit him. He is a genius. The biography contains several examples at different stages of life. Even as a 11 year old, his mastery of language outclasses almost everyone I know. His memory is perfect, even savant level. But would he come this far without the endowment of having the most courted (married) woman in England being his mother? That his father at one point was the second most powerful man in the government?
Greatness might be churned to the top, but it does help to be near the top in the first place. I’ve come to realize that I am not too special. Yes, there are things I do well, but not in the grand scheme of things. Maybe the best thing I can do would be to foster an environment for my child at the top of the world.