> But I also believe that anyone else with my circumstances would have nearly identical results.

Then there was no need for you to make any effort. After all, success just dropped on your head.

You say you were "lucky" to be "conditioned to work hard"? I find such statements astonishing. Anyone can work hard, or not. It's a choice. Nobody is "victimized" by laziness. Jeez. How far will people go with excuses?

By the way, people who find themselves in a terrible situation, like war came and the food supply is gone, seem to discover in themselves a fine capability for hard work.