What is the value of success? Do material possessions and high income show how successful a person is? Does an education at a highly respected and reputable school prove that you are more successful? Does working at a minimum wage job to support your family and loved ones during times of depression signify that you are unsuccessful?
Society has set in place a standard of what success should look like. Many find themselves suffering and depressed because they do not reach that bar that determines how successful they are. Let me ask one question: have you ever wondered why those that are completely poor and struggling are more joyful and optimistic than those that are filthy rich and wealthy? The answer lies in how these people value success.
Those that are wealthy have become successful in the eyes of the world. They have become the CEO of a major company. They live in a giant house in a high end neighborhood. They drive expensive cars and send their kids to top notch colleges. Why then are they unhappy?
Those that are poor and struggling are successful in the eyes of those that they love and respect...they are successful in their own minds. They may not be in the most high paying career, but they have enough income to support and take care of those that they love. They may not drive a BMW, but they can take their family and friends to soccer games, malls, movie theaters, or school. They may not go to a top notch college but they payed for an education that helped them grow and succeed in ways that they needed. Why are they happy?
The difference is in who they let decide they were successful. When you live your life to impress others you will never find true happiness. The reason is because you are not doing things for you. You aren't doing things you enjoy. You aren't taking part in things that are meaningful to you. You are doing what you think is required to find happiness.
Happiness, however, is found not in following the views of society, but rather following the views of your family, friends, and religion. So what if you don't make a six digit income. So what if you don't drive a Lexus. Do you really need those things to be happy? Why can't you be happy knowing that you are a great father, husband, or friend to those around you? Why can't you be happy knowing that you have a big enough income to take care of people you love? Why can't you be happy knowing that you have reliable transportation to take you where you need to go?
The value of success is not determined by material possessions or status. Success is measured in how happy and meaningful your life is. If you have found a deep and amazing love with family, friends, and spouse then you are successful. If you have a job or career that enables you to pay bills and take care of yourself and others needs then you are successful. If you are happy...if you are optimistic...if you are loved and loving others...then you are successful.
Never let others tell you how to be successful. What do you want? What do you care about? What makes you happy? Those are the things that matter...those are the things that will make you valuable...those are the things that will make your life successful.
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