China has been around for 10,000 years. The Chinese use the number 5,000 years so we will address that milestone. During those 5,000 years, China has had cycles of extreme greatness and then self imposed isolation. In spite of comparing with other countries, China has been "Great" all this time without the realization of it.

China's past is part of what China is today. There are those things in everyday life that the people of China do not see but some of us foreigners do. The great achievements of your ancestors is here today. You are what your ancestors were.

So what if China was isolated for a few years. It was a time of self examination and realization. Now China is back in the game. Playing catch up for China is obviously quite easy even though the Chinese see it as a difficult road to the future. In fact, you are doing it quite well and have already made a huge impact on the rest of the world. It has been a short time that China has progressed at such a high rate that if it continues, it will be far beyond the rest of the world in a very short time. China has done it in one generation where it takes other countries many generations to just keep up with the rest of the world.

As I observe from a distance, I see unbelieveable progress yet in China's everyday life, it seems slow. Make no mistake about it, you are already there and don't know it. So what if you don't have regular flights to the moon or some of the things other countries have. You have things other countries will never have or achieve.

Don't compare with western countries but compare to yourself. Progress at your own speed and rate. Ignore the need to compare and compete in things that are not so important. Do what you do, and do it well. That is your success.