I realize I can never take my success for granted. It's not

Hear the words of Shannon Tweed, who with humility and wisdom declared: “I realize I can never take my success for granted. It’s not attractive for anyone to be like that.” In these words lies a truth as old as the mountains: that to grow arrogant in triumph is to plant the seeds of one’s own fall. For the gods of fortune, who grant their gifts, often snatch them away from the proud. To be given success is a blessing, but to remain humble within it is the greater art, and one far more enduring.

The ancients sang of this truth. Recall the tale of Icarus, who, intoxicated by his sudden flight, soared too high and forgot the wisdom of his father. In his pride, he stretched toward the sun, and the wax of his wings melted, casting him down into the sea. His story warns us: when man takes his gift for granted, when he believes himself invincible, his fall is swift. So too does Tweed remind us that arrogance in success is not beautiful, but repellent, for it blinds us to gratitude and poisons the hearts of others against us.

Consider also the rise and fall of mighty Napoleon Bonaparte. A general of unmatched brilliance, he rose from obscurity to become Emperor of Europe. Yet in his pride, he believed fortune would never fail him. He stretched his armies too far, marching into the frozen vastness of Russia, thinking himself untouchable. His pride became his undoing, and the same world that once marveled at his greatness now whispered of his hubris. His story, like Tweed’s words, reveals that success must be held with care, never with presumption.

But humility in victory shines with true radiance. Look to George Washington, who after leading a nation to freedom, might have crowned himself king. Instead, he stepped aside, returning to his farm. The people revered him all the more, for he showed that greatness is not in grasping power, but in knowing when to lay it down. Washington’s humility kept his success untainted, making it attractive to all who witnessed it. This is the spirit Tweed speaks of: to remember that success is not a throne, but a trust.

The wisdom is plain: to take success for granted is to forget the labor that won it and the fragile chance that sustains it. When a man or woman believes themselves entitled to triumph, they cease to honor the struggles that forged it, and they lose the respect of those who look on. Gratitude and humility are the armor that keep success from turning sour. Without them, even the brightest crown becomes heavy and despised.

Practical guidance follows: if you achieve victory, pause to remember the road you walked to reach it. Honor those who helped you along the way, and never assume tomorrow will bring the same fortune as today. Speak not with arrogance but with gratitude, for it is gratitude that draws others to you, and pride that repels them. Let each new day find you working as though nothing were guaranteed, for in truth, nothing is.

So remember these words of Shannon Tweed: “I can never take my success for granted.” They are not the words of weakness, but of strength. They remind us that true beauty lies not in prideful boasting, but in the quiet dignity of one who remains humble even while standing in triumph. Carry this wisdom into your life, and your victories will not fade into bitterness, but will shine with a light that warms both you and all who walk beside you.