Friday, November 7, 2014

How do YOU define "success"?

I think, for most of my life, I've been led to believe that "success" was primarily financial.  If that is the case, then the most "successful" folk we know of are the ones stalked by paparazzi, and they may or may not be happy, but "If I had that kind of money, I'd be happy..." yada yada yada blah blah blah BLECH.

Then there are those who have amazing careers, doing what they've always loved, influencing world leaders and the like with their brilliant inventions or theorems or algorithms or whatnot.  Those folk are very likely considered "successes" by us on the outside of their lives, but we have NO CLUE what struggles they went through to get there, and we also don't know if they consider themselves to be successful.

We see our parents, who, if we are lucky, managed to find love early in life and stay in love throughout our lives, and we probably strive to reach the kind of marital success that they've shown us.

But in my season of Sadiversaries, I'm drawn to individuals who find themselves successful on a daily basis, and those are the folk I strive to emulate.  I don't have a long-term definition of "success" for myself, unless it is the sum of my daily successes by the time I reach the end of my life.  I think I developed that game plan for myself when I spoke with Mommy on the phone that day and advised her to make 2006 the "Year of Lois".  At my current age, I may feel like I don't give a rat's ass what others think of me, but I know that outwardly, I need to look like I do, if I'm to succeed on a daily basis.

So I live my daily life, hoping for industry work and cheering when I get it.  I make my long drive to my not-so-bad job in the food service industry, and if I make it safely there and back, earn some tips, and have friendly conversation with my coworkers and the diners, then I count those days as successful.  If I have no work to do on any particular day, I try to accomplish something worthwhile, be it getting some bills paid, reading for enjoyment (just Entertainment Weekly, kids, don't panic), doing a bit of laundry or running the dishwasher, or getting some exercise, either by taking a short walk or getting into the cold swimming pool.  If I don't have to raise my voice or clean up cat messes, then I've probably had a successful day.  Eh, I usually have successful days even if I have to raise my voice or clean up cat messes.  I'm pretty successful.

I'm mostly a happy person.  I think this is primarily because I choose to be so.  I avoid negativity, which includes media-based news and politics, and I seek out positivity.  If I can awake feeling refreshed and go to bed at night without stresses weighing on me, then I've had a successful day.

So how 'bout you?  Do you define success differently?  Am I living a pipe dream?  Are you jealous?  Don't be; just find a way to achieve your goals and be happy.  Live my pipe dream if you want to, but be sure that it's actually YOURS instead.  I think there's room for all of us to feel successful and be happy.  Do you agree?

9 comments:

  1. well, besides being a writer which i think you are even if you don't ,you could also be a motivational speaker.. what an inspiring story. love this. and yes i am jealous..have a successful day today and i'll try to also at sam's..(ha ha )..

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    1. THIS was an inspiring story? Really? Um, okay. I DO consider myself more of a motivational speaker than a writer, or, well, maybe just "motivational" in life on a person-to-person basis, but okay.

      But, really, no need to be jealous - just go out there and find ONE thing to celebrate every day (yes, even at Sam's), and by MY definition, you'll be a success! Have a great one. :)

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  2. Sometimes it's just facing life as you see it as it surrounds you. If I can be helpful to someone, get a few chores done, maintain family needs and teach my kids something I am successful. If my kids grow up to be responsible adults, then I am successful. Unfortunately, I tend to worry about things (housecleaning, bills, outward appearances) that do not matter or define me. I need to remember the important things like am I happy, filled with joy from time to time, am I fulfilled, am I useful to my community. I just need to remember what is important.

    Thank you for sharing. It helps me remember.

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    1. Glad to be of service - and I guess, your response has affected MY successful outcome for today! Thanks!

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  3. This is almost the same philosophy I apply to my job search/landing. I consider interviews a chance to get out of the house and talk to some people. Being a social creature, the money has never been important. When I get a job, the money side is what drives Brian. I'm all about the opportunity to socialize during the day.

    My definition of success is inevitably, "Did I make someone laugh or smile today? If not, did I feel victorious in a difficult situation?" It takes very little for me to have a successful day. And I feel truly blessed (even when I DON'T) when I wake up on this side of the dirt - day after day.

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  4. Great, thought provoking post, you are right, the general perception of success - house, partner, car, great job, suit, 2.4 children etc etc, but my thoughts on success is to feel as though I have achieved something (even small) daily, then I feel successful. My aim is not for great riches, but to feel successful in some way daily xx

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    1. Wouldn't it be nice to have the great riches on top of all that, too, though? ;) Like clotted cream with your scones... just BONUS!

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    2. True enough! Money doesn't hurt. I would find it very helpful right now!

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