Are you acting out of joy, rather than to prove something?

I should try harder.

There is nothing wrong with thinking that.

But, that effort,

what is it for?

To be recognized?

To avoid failure?

To feel secure?

I used to live,

with the feeling that,

if I worked hard, I would be secure.

That is why I couldn't rest until I saw results,

and if I didn't see results, I couldn't feel secure.

But lately,

I have been changing little by little.

Writing.

Talking with someone.

Reading books.

These are,

not things I do to prove something,

but time I spend simply because I love doing them.

Of course,

the desire to be recognized is natural.

The desire to achieve results is also important.

But,

if that is the only reason you act,

your heart will grow weary.

Your true self,

rather than "I must,"

"I want to try,"

starts moving from a small joy like that.

That joy is,

surprisingly quiet and calm.

Among the things you did today,

instead of "I had to,"

what can you say you did because you wanted to?

That time,

might be what is nurturing your true self.

Perhaps that is the case.