Success

    Just the mere mention of the word success brings thoughts to the minds of some of great sports figures, of powerful military leaders, or perhaps giant business tycoons!  Many have taken this view of the definition of the word success: “the attainment of popularity or profit.”  Or some have taken the view that success is “a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity.”

     Success has been defined in many different ways by many different people.  One source trying to put the definition of success into simple words stated: “Being successful means the achievement of desired visions and planned goals.  Furthermore, success can be a certain social status that describes a prosperous person that could also have gained fame for its favorable outcome.”

     Another source put the definition this way: “Real success in life is achieving the goals that matter to you the most.  Based on the way your personality developed and the life experiences you have been through since you were born with the idea of certain things that will become important to you.”

     One of the greatest models in life (according to some sources), the late Coach John Wooden, defined success as follows: “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”  Success is an attitude.

     With all these possible descriptions of what success is how is a person to truly understand what real success is?  Ask yourself: “What can be worse than failure?”  The answer may surprise you but it is FALSE SUCCESS!  Think about it for a moment.  If you fail you can always take steps to correct the situation.  At the very least, you can learn from the experience and make a firm resolution to do better the next time.

     But false success is different.  If you fall under the influence of false success you may be thinking that you are winning when in reality you are losing.  By the time you see the need to make any changes, it may be too late!  What does this mean for you?

     In a survey in the United States several years ago “having a lot of money” came in 20^th in a list of 22 “contributors to having a successful life.”  What did people consider to be more important in being successful?  Closer to the top of the list were such things as good health, good relationships, and a job that they love.

     Clearly at that time many people could distinguish between false success and true success – at least when they were asked.  The problem becomes more challenging when people are to make decisions that reflect the proper view of success within their daily lives.  That’s where the peer pressure and influence of the world around us becomes greatest.  Then, again, we’re only human!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"To raise children to adulthood 
in this world today is a great success!"