I've recently been asked to expand on what my search for success is, and found it surprisingly difficult to do! So, being a lover of the great multi-media encyclopedia that is the internet, and of not re-inventing the wheel, I set forth from Google in search of a definition for the success that I'm searching for. I immediately found several references to a poem called, appropriately and rather succinctly, "Success". It seems that there has been some debate about the true author of the poem or its many variations, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, but on reading further it is attributed to Bessie A. Stanley in 1905. It sums things up rather nicely for me:
He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women,
the respect of intelligent men
and the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others
and given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.
Certainly something to aspire to, methinks.
Interestingly enough, the website that I found this on went on to quote some more on the subject, a couple of which I think are worth reproducing here. The first continues on the inspirational theme, and deals with the fear of success, something I know I for one can relate to!
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
by Marianne Williamson from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a "Course in Miracles"
After all that heavy stuff, I'd like to end on a lighter note. The author of this one is unknown, and a slightly changed version of it is currently in use on an Aussie TV ad!
At age 4, success is...not peeing in your pants.
At age 12, success is...having friends.
At age 16, success is...having a driver's license.
At age 20, success is...having sex.
At age 35, success is...having money.
At age 40, success is...finding meaning & purpose to life.
At age 45, success is...finding meaning & purpose to life.
At age 50, success is...having money.
At age 60, success is...having sex.
At age 70, success is...having a driver's license.
At age 75, success is...having friends.
At age 80, success is...not peeing in your pants.
Whatever your definition and whatever it means to you, I wish you all much success!
(With thanks to this site, which formed the basis for my research)
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