“Receive without pride,

let go without attachment.”

No, this was not said by the Buddha but by Marcus Aurelius. Whether we’re lauded for an accomplishment at work or in our community, praised by those we hold important in our lives, or honored by those we don’t even know, we need to “receive without pride.”

Remember, we could not have accomplished what we did alone, in a vacuum. Accomplishments are a combination of our actions and those of others. An amalgamation of everyone’s conditions correctly aligned, all due to results of past actions. Yes, the conditions were right for us. But there’s no reason for us to get carried away. 

With our bearings steady, when conditions change, we will not be off-kilter when praise and honors pass on to others. Not being enamored with receiving recognition, we are able to “let go without attachment.” 

We are appreciative of what is happening but not excited by it. And we will remain calm and accepting in the face of what passes from us