The Meaning of it All
A post on Atanu’s blog points me to an excellent quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882) on his definition of “success”:
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
And you thought success meant making more money?!
P.S. I have since learned that Emerson was not its writer. The quote may be traceable to a 1905 publication by a Bessie Stanley. Apparently, in a collection of quotations on “success,” her poem appeared on the facing page from a quotation which was from Emerson. Either way, I wish more earthlings thought of success in these terms! 🙂
The tenor of this message is worth appreciating and assimilating for one’s peace of mind.for the impoverished which are not few in number on this planet the need for money is so strong that it is paramount to any other.for many of us who are neither well-heeled nor scraping the bottom, the popular perception of a successful individual is infused through the media and our elders to mention a couple of sources.this perception appears to be popular and prevalent as the examples shown to us are easy to see and comprehend. these individuals have excelled,we are told, and the proof is in the pudding,which we are asked to see.Life moves on and it is late for us to redeem ourselves when we feel that our lives remain unfulfilled and empty.The popular definition of success allows for you to claim victory only when you have the trophies for others to see whereas the meaningful definition lets you live life on your terms with the satisfaction of having accomplished something that truly immerses you in a sea of peace.I applaud the editor’s choice of this entry and ask for more that can lend a sensible perspective to our outlook towards life