The word success can mean different things to different people based on experiential and gained knowledge. Gone are the days when success was simply benchmarked to having riches, multiple properties or career achievements alone.
Now, times have changed and it is no longer a cliche that the rich also cries. Ironically, someone with lots of riches, who is able to afford certain luxuries might not feel successful. He or she might look with envy at his subordinate who leads a simple life with his family and see that subordinate as being successful.
Life is not balanced and what goes for the goose no longer applies for the gander. A young woman working with a big organization, earning a salary in six digits might not feel be successful because she might have an unmet expectation which gnaws at her heart and causes her to cry secretly each night whereas there is another young woman who doesn't earn as much as the other woman but she is happy and feels successful because she feels fulfilled with her current level, steadily climbing up in life and improving on herself.
This brings me to my definition of success and how I perceive it. Success is that state where one is passionately living a fulfilled life irrespective of academic and financial achievements.
What this means is that as long as I meet my set goals and objectives, obtain financial stability, impact others around me positively, have a community of genuine relationships and friendships and I'm free to worship as per my faith, that for me is success.
I don't need fancy cars, fancy wardrobes filled with haute couture, nor do I need to live in a fancy home to define my success. Having those things I mentioned above are great but they are not what defines success for me rather, they are mere additions.
What will matter the most on a death bed will not be the amount of cars, houses and financial bank statements, rather it would be the way one lived his life, whether he is regretful or not. What will matter will be the legacy left behind and if that legacy will be adhered to by the younger generations. That is what will matter the most in life.
A rich CEO from the city, wanted to brag to his six year old son about how rich he was. He took his son to the countryside to stay with the family of his friend for a few days. When they returned back home, he asked his son what his thoughts were concerning the few days spent in the countryside.
The son looked at him for a little while before boldly saying ”Dad, you claim to be rich but your friend is richer than you. We have a lot of bodyguards for security but they sleep peacefully each night. They have a large yard where they sit to eat under the open sky with stars twinkling over their heads. They eat what they want and move freely while we are restricted with gates and guards. Thank you for showing me how poor we are dad”.
The father was shocked as his plan backfired right in his face. This story is a good illustration of what success might mean to different persons. The term success is subjective and personal to each individual. To some people, success is completing school and getting married while for some others, success is amassing wealth and for some others success is doing what makes them fulfilled. It all boils down to individual choice but truthfully speaking, whatever brings pain,stress and sleeplessness is not success.
Thank you all for reading.
Images are mine.
