How do you measure success?
@weeleybridge04 (77)
May 27, 2008 10:04am CST
Do you measure success by how much money you have or by how well you have brought up your family? I used to think that I could only be regarded as successful if I had a huge bank balance. But recently I have been forced to look at my life and I have realised just how successfull I (and my husband) have been in raising our two kids. This was only really pointed out to me by my sons future mother-in-law,my son has recently moved out to go and live with his now fiance and her three kids.My son is 21,his fiance 27 and the three kids are 6 and twin boys of 3,this lady took time to tell me how wonderful it is to have a young man like my son in their family and how amazed she is that James (my son) is prpared to take on Michele and the three kids, and treat them as his own.She felt that it took somone special to do that, and on reflection I think maybe she's right. All this time I have felt a failure when,infact I have been a success after all. Can you measure sucess like this or is it how much money you have that counts?
2 people like this
2 responses
@mensab (4200)
• Philippines
27 May 08
my concept of success lies on my set goals and mission. some goals to be met require some amount of money while some don't. in this case, money is necessary to achieve some goals. here money becomes a vehicle or facility towards achieving goals. it is not the goal itself. if it is, then the measurement of happiness will be the accumulation of it.
1 person likes this
@weeleybridge04 (77)
•
27 May 08
I agree to an extent - you do need some money to achieve somes goals, but I feel that the true mreasure of personal success is the way you are thought of by others.
1 person likes this
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
27 May 08
I think that success is a personal thing. There are people who have plenty of money but feel like they have failed and poor people who somehow feel content with their lot in life.
In Singapore, success is measured in money. I guess since I have never made much money I am not successful by Singapore standards.
But then I remember I had to go to Thailand as part of my national service. It was really strange, because we were all much richer than the Thais. But somehow I felt that they had something very important which we had lost a very long time ago. These people with no money seemed to be more successful than we were.
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
28 May 08
Hi again..
After hearing about the positive changes in your life I wanted to drop by and learn more. I love the photo and commented and rated it with a plus of course. It is a joy to see the children you mentioned in your response to me and have a chance to add my views to what is resounding success!
As I mentioned in my reply to you and your hubs have done a wonderful job in parenting Jenna and James and having them grow into such responsible, caring young adults. You have every reason to be beaming with pride at the decision your son has made. Not too many young men of his age have the spiritual/emotional maturity to embark on a future with that level of commitment at 21.
He is special and as the old time baseball player Dizzy Dean said..."It isn't bragging when you do it." Giving your son, you and your family huge kudos is not bragging...just a celebration of a life lived with integrity and compassion. So take bow as I applaud you and your family and wish you continued good health, happiness and abundance as you welcome the children and their mother into your world...they are fortunate indeed.
In regard to your question about how I measure success. In my view of success has far more to do with the quality of life than the amount of money anyone has. I believe success is something that we do consistently over time...whatever that may be. Successful living and inner peace, an attitude of gratitude and unconditional giving are measures of success for me.
Overall outer signs of success (including gobs of money) are not ways that I measure success. I know of multi-millionaires who are arrogant, emotionally isolated and self-serving...in the eyes of the world their wealth indicates "success"...but that definer does not work for me.
On the other hand I have known people on disabilities and social assistance who are living their best lives and adding to the greater good on low, fixed incomes. In my view they are the success stories I like to hear about...or ones like you and your family are sharing.
Great news...and a pleasure to know you...and yours my friend. What a great way to get back into Mylot land!
Hugs and blessings,
Raia
@weeleybridge04 (77)
•
28 May 08
Thank you so much, I never would have believed when I joined mylot what wonderful people I would have the pleasure of meeting,it is really is a joy. Your response has lifted my spirits this morning as you so often do.
Have a wonderful day.
Kathy.
