Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

As a result of a slight disagreement in another thread I just wonder what the rest of you think. I became a coal face worker in my early years and didn't like my job one bit. At the time the country was crying out for teachers so, on the strength of my qualifications in mining engineering gained by studying on day release, I applied for and was offered a place at a teacher training college. I worked hard and got good results and managed to get a lecturing job in FE which was much easier and had better pay and conditions than a coal face worker. I and my family had a much better life as a result of my initiative and hard work.
Are people like myself to be applauded for bettering themselves or to be envied and derided ?

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

Not at all I think it's great when you can do that, only thing I will say is it's not open to everyone to do it so you should consider yourself not just industrious but lucky too.

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

Very much applauded Alan by the more sensible ones amongst us....the jealous ones I fear, like the poor, will always be with us !

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

I think its only natural to want to achive something in life and natural as parents to want better for our children.

The only people I dont like are those who peer down from their tower as if the rest of us are poo..
Met one on Sunday who came from Kensington and told me my area of south London was one she had never been allowed to visit because it was full of yobs. She then asked if I wanted to be her cleaning lady!

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

Definitely applauded - initiative is good in my book

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

This is a no brainer Alan.
Applauded.

A very interesting post in which amongst other things, I learned how you got your lecturing job.
At least you haven't left that particular talent behind since joining the forum!

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

Yes, personal achievement is to be applauded, provided, hard work, long hours, and not benefitting from others shortcomings were the factors on the journey, some just achieve by default. Imo.

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

I was orphaned at age 15, no family, no state handouts.
I had to leave school and find work in order to survive.
After living on practically nothing after I had paid for my accommodation, I clawed my way through life and eventually earned enough to continue my education at night school. I then was able to continue my training at an aerospace company and became a development engineer on future aircraft projects.....hard work and initiative is always open to everyone Julie, no luck required !

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

Great come back Cass would have been NO but you can be MINE

There will always be people who better themselves Alan.
Me and my 3 siblings all did better in life than our parents.
My parents did not seem to have any ambition and struggled
all of their lives. Could have been the second WW or just
their upbringing by Victoria parents. In those days children
were seen and not heard and you either went to work or you died if you were not rich.

I don't down anyone for doing well in life. I only knock
them down if they think that just because they have lots
of money that it makes them more intelligent than me.
I don't go for that at all. We all have talents and its up
to us to use them for the best for ourselves and for others.
That's my philosophy

Re: Are People Who Get On In Life To Be Decried ?

It goes without saying that luck comes into it. Would Bill Gates have become a billionaire if he had been born 50 years earlier - I doubt it.