Funny how the word 'achievement' means different things to different people; especially in politics.
To the political left it's a semi-dirty word. Bizarrely it's OK to aspire to achieve, but once one has 'achieved' it isn't. On the way up one is breaking away from those well-hated shackles of class based subservience, serfdom, poverty, etc, but once up there one instantly becomes a capitalist, privileged, toff, and an enemy of the working classes; someone to be derided (and mercilessly taxed).
To the political right achievement simply means 'personal success'. It is synonymous with hard work, aspiration, wealth, job creation, and economic strength, and is something to be lauded and encouraged at all levels of society.
To the slowly disappearing centre (Lib/Dims, Greenies, Ukippers, etc) it's a word that's of no importance as it's irrelevant to their mostly single policy manifestos.
Personally I look upon 'achievement' as recognition of an aim that's been mastered, a step on the path to meritocracy. However I would never look unkindly upon lack of, or disinterest in, achievement; I certainly wouldn't see it as a sign of failure.
Some aspire, some achieve, and some don't.... Simple.
In a non political way many people achieve great things in small ways each and every day..as you say the word means different things to different people.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a popular word these days.
DeleteJust be yourself and bugger the rest of them.
ReplyDeleteand go on holiday!
DeleteI woke up, got out of bed and got the Great Scot off to work... fed the plants and watered the dogs... and I DROVE yesterday!
ReplyDeleteI have achieved great things. =)
That's more than I've achieved this morning. I've walked the dog and done the shopping.
DeleteFunny how people can achieve crossing over from 'us' to 'them,' which is one of the things I find so noisome about politics. No matter our viewpoints, we're all living on the same planet.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what political persuasion anybody is, the mass majority of us want to achieve in some way. Some want money, some want happiness at home, some want just to be able to get out of bed in the morning. We do not know what circumstance or issues others have, so it is best not to judge and just live our lives as best we can.
ReplyDelete