Roll Models.

Why are we constantly bombarded with idealised images of success? We have it driven into us that success means being Richard Branson, or Donald Trump, or Bill Gates. We are taught to feel an obligation to make the most of what we have, to the point where abject guilt sets in as soon as we begin to relax into daily life.

But why should we all be like Bill Gates? Surely the best person to be Bill Gates would, in fact, be Bill Gates? After all, he's proven very good at it so far. Isn't the simple fact that none of us are Bill Gates evidence enough that none of us are supposed to be him?

Linguistics aside, an unfortunate effect of this is that we miss the real successes in our lives; our friends, our family, our children, our community. When our parents are eighty years old and still independent, when our children are born, or when they grow into mature, well-rounded adults; these are the things that matter, these are the real successes in our lives.

It just a shame that we're so preoccupied with some ephemeral "big break" that we tend to miss them.

"I know you're in a lot of pain..."

"...but we need to fill out this form."

This is a line that should never be heard at a hospital admissions desk. Who is insisting on having this conversation? Surely there's a better way.

Perhaps the right people have never been admitted to hospital.

(For the record, I was told this line when I was admitted to hospital - in extreme abdominal pain - a little over two years ago. I live in Sydney, Australia.)