People often focus almost exclusively on criteria like money, wealth, power, and fame when they think about what determines the status of being successful in life. However, this can be a very narrow and restricted way to think about success, and it unfortunately leads many people to undervalue and underappreciate the many ways they have been successful in life.
For example, being kind, being loving, being creative, being honest and responsible, being compassionate, helping others, and positively contributing to one’s community are all among a wide variety of criteria that qualify for judging someone as having been successful.
And add to this the frequent observation that many who are rich and famous often score low in experiencing great happiness in their lives.
Who is successful in life? Many more than who typically give themselves credit for being so.
Getting Personal
Identify one person in your life who you would describe as having been successful? Why do you believe this?
“A man can live well, even in a palace.” (Marcus Aurelius)
Comment: Living well is due more to matters of character, values, attitudes, and emotional fulfillment than it is to material comfort and privilege. Though it is possible for those living in palaces to also live well.
“Be a good human being, a warm-hearted, affectionate person. That is my fundamental belief.” Dalai Lama
“Living our life deeply and with happiness, having time to care for our loved ones – this is another kind of success, another kind of power, and it is much more important.” (Thich Nhat Hanh)
Top of Post Image (Decent, Human), from dreamstime.com
