I’ve mentioned before that I like to read the newspaper comics—mostly for the humor but occasionally for the wisdom. In today’s “Hi & Lois” strip, son Chip says to Hi, “My ambition is to be a millionaire by the time I’m 25.” Hi answers, “Be realistic, Chip … I’m over 25 and I’m not a millionaire.” The next panel shows Chip walking away, saying, “It’s not my fault you’re not ambitious.”

Don’t measure your own ambitions by the performance of anyone else. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to be wealthy—but nor is there anything wrong with a desire for riches. You may love and admire people who have not reached the goals you have set for yourself, and that’s fine. Just don’t let the fact that they have chosen a different path stop you from achieving your dreams.

You love and admire people for who they are and you set your goals based on what you want. I have dear friends who are missionaries; they live a life far more modest than I choose, but that doesn’t stop our mutual affection (nor does it stop me from contributing to the funding their work).

So make your ambitions your own and let others take ownership of their goals and circumstances.

Jackie