I recently wrote an article titled “Flutes and Fiddlers” (take a minute to read it if you have not) and in it I stated that I would not call myself a successful person, and it got me thinking. Why would I say that? What is success?
The very definition is this:
“The accomplishment of an aim or purpose”
Success is not something you can physically possess but a soluble emotion that is reachable by all no matter the stature of the pursuer! Americans tend to define success by money, and by what money can buy. We are known around the world as a rather materialistic country, always striving after things and defining success by the accoutrements that money can buy – such as our snazzy cars, the size of our homes and designer clothes. And that’s just what we get – more things. This doesn’t mean more fulfillments or contributing to make the world better in some way. It simply means more things. Life is not about “things” it’s about fulfillment of task or living for something.
Most people in America walk into a large, beautiful home and immediately become envious of the person that holds such wonderful tangible things, but it is time we step back and look at the larger factors of life. What has that person given up to obtain such “success”? It comes to the fact, success is purveyed in many ways in America and all forms of success come with pros and cons.-O.K. lets move on.
Other countries define success more in terms of whether their work supports their family life. If they enjoy their work, and if it gives them an opportunity to spend time with their family and have a balanced life, they’d consider themselves successful. I would say this is a holistically better perspective on what success truly is. Living a life for the betterment of your family and impacting the lives of others; a far more rewarding success story than a stake of faith-based currency that can be demoralized overnight leaving the rich significantly less wealthy- to me fulfillment has more value; this is more evident now, with jobs scarce and money tight. A majority of Americans are now seeking more satisfying work—and giving up material goods to get it.
There truly are many different perspectives of what success is throughout mankind. Most possess qualitative traits that I myself relate to far better than the American way of “success”
Making a Difference
I myself have found that success is defined by how my life will be summed up at my funeral- call it legacy. I constantly as myself “will they be talking about my contributions to their lives and how blessed they feel to have known me as a friend or co-worker? Or “how big of a waste of flesh I was”?
For most, success is ultimately defined by the Good that has been contributed, and by what is remembered about someone who has finished the work.
Success and Joy
Some define success by whether their job suits them and by how much joy they have as a result of their work. They define it by the joy they feel when they do the work; the joy they feel when they’ve finished the work; and by the joy that others feel as a result of their work.
Success and Balance
Some define success by the sense of balance they have between their work lives and the rest of their lives. For them, work is not what success is about. They believe that life needs to be balanced, and that work is not meant to be the only thing in our lives.
John Woolman, an early American abolitionist, cut back on his successful work as a tailor because he wanted to be “free of cumber.” When his work was getting so cumbersome it was controlling him and left him no time for other things of value in his life, he did not consider himself successful.
If a job is driving someone, demanding all their time, and giving them no balance between their work, physical exercise, time with their family and other relationships, and time for spiritual growth, then the balance is off and many would consider this is not living a successful life. This can lead to a frenetic lifestyle, as well as illness, family problems, and not paying attention to the values that make a good life.
With that said I would say any person that lives a life with goals and meets them is a successful person. To simply measure success on how much money and stuff we have is naïve and empty. If you pay your bills, live within your means, and have a life with or without children and you are happy; then to me, I would say that you are successful.
In my lifetime I have, accomplished many of my goals ranging from Service to this Nation, fighting in a war, running a triathlon, attending college, and starting a family. Milestones such as these perpetuate success far more than cash and home value. Living a life with purpose is far more warranting of success; than living one without: I am not trying to say people with money are without purpose, but there are those that have flopped and have not got back up. A successful person has goals set and is actively working to achieve them. I want to stop and say that I by no means rank within what many would deem the judge and jury of success, but I think that for to long we have gauged success with fame and fortune in America. That is not the case- fame to me is something I would never want, and I have never strived for it, and to possess a fortune and hold on to it; would be against my character and my belief that too much is too much. I enjoy aiding others far too much to be a millionaire, and a fancy home with large amounts of square footages seems fleeting to me and cumbersome. Success is applicable to all, and based on the will of the chaser.
In closing, success is not a monetary sum, and it has never been! We idolize the rich and famous as if they are vastly more successful than us-that is not true- we are just as successful if not more- fulfillment remember? The sooner we look past the quantitative factors of “success” than I truly believe our outlook on life will be far better than what it currently is. I am not saying be content with what you have; that will never happen- we are human, but instead be ambitious for what you want and know that every step of the way you are successful!
Other Articles to read.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-besaw/redefining-success_b_4118779.html
andrewsoption 
Leave a comment