Well, I'm afraid I'm being overly picky. I understand perfectly well what you're saying and I agree with it to the extent of being content with what one has.

And I also concur that what often puts one "over the top" -- makes one stand out in the world of the arts -- is often a tough life that few would trade for in order to excel.

But I guess that I'm one who very profoundly measures myself only against those who have achieved more. And that measurement has resulted, more times than not, in my not participating -- as I could only conclude, "what's the point?". I've felt for a very long time -- especially musically -- that I had little to offer if all I had to offer was "pretty good".

I have slowly but surely been trying to unbury myself from that burden (the burden of my upward perspective) as I try to find more and more opportunities to share my music with others.