As a young man, and even not such a young man, I believed and did the opposite of what a sensible person would believe and do.
I believed that it was wrong to want money and success, so I avoided them both as if they were diseases.
I believed that it was phony to do things and be a certain way in order to make people like me. So I was obnoxious as a matter of principle.
I believed that the smart thing to do was to take vast quantities of psychedelic substances like LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, peyote, mushrooms, morning glory seeds, and of course weed.
As a result I am not rich or successful. I have few friends. And the flashbacks just won’t stop!
Looking back, I wonder, what if I had not done the opposite of what a sensible person would do? I would almost certainly be very well off financially. I would probably be recognized for my accomplishments with some awards and such. I would have many friends. I would have the unanimous love and respect of my family.
But of course I would be a very different person than I am now, with completely different experiences. Would I trade?
Nah.