Success

Nobody wants to be a failure even if there are times when failure could teach us a thing or two. It is therefore safe to assume that most, if not all people, want to be successful. We want it, but we don't have a concrete definition of it. What is success? What makes us a successful person? How do we measure it?

Many people would probably say that being successful means being rich. If I have an expensive car, a luxurious house, and all the state-of-the-art gadgets that technology could create, then I may consider myself successful. That is what many people think, and that is what the media, consumerism, and our entire system of society, made us believe to be the measure of success.

In a way, these factors have intoxicated the perception of many people about success. We may feel left out if our friends and colleagues have the latest cellphones while we are stuck with our cheap and ancient cellphones. We might get jealous if a whole lot of people in our age range are earning more money than we do. Whenever we compare ourselves to other people who are richer, we feel somewhat inferior. That is because our definition of success was dictated before us, even if it is not accurate to all.

The definition of success as equated to being rich, is not accurate since we all have different priorities, goals, and principles. If our priority is to be rich, and have all the material things that we desire, then our definition of success is truly what the media and the society dictate. If our goal is to help a lot of people through charitable work, then success is being able to do that, regardless of income or the amount of money that we have. If our ambition is to work in the field or career that we want, then success would mean being able to enjoy and be good at this chosen path.

The point, therefore, is clear. The definition of success varies depending on the person. We cannot say that a rich person is more successful than a social worker who has chosen to dedicate his life for the improvement of other people's lives. We cannot say that a rich person is more successful than a photographer who pursued his passion for art, despite being forced to live a simple life because of his small income.

We must not let ourselves be intoxicated with a generalizing definition of success that is really not applicable to us. So what if other people are richer than us? Would we pursue greener pasture even if it entails abandoning our most loved career that we have always dreamed of since childhood? Should we forget our ideals to help other people since helping would most likely require spending time and money?

I am not being too idealistic. Earn money because it is necessary. However, if money has never been a priority, then pursue that other priority, whether it is charity, career, or whatnot. Don't force yourself to believe what many other people consider to be the measure of success. In fact, I would go on to say that the world needs more of people who value more important things, rather than the ones who value money above all else.