Wise words Douglas!

Sometimes we all dream of great deeds and high positions, away from the pettiness and humdrum of ordinary life.

Yet for me, success is not occupying a lofty place or doing conspicuous work; it is being the best that is in you and gifting that to your world.

I believe that fulfillment in this life is derived from making the most of what you have and who you are.

That's why I adore this poem by Douglas Malloch. I love his chatty style and my favourite lines of all are highlighted in bold.

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

by Douglas Malloch

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley — but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.

If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass —
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew,
There's something for all of us here,
There's big work to do, and there's lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.

If you can't be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun be a star;
It isn't by size that you win or you fail —
Be the best of whatever you are!

(a Muskie is a canadian fish similar to a Pike)