What is success?

What is success? Have you ever thought about what it means to be successful? Success means a lot to different people. To some it is having a lot of money to be able to do what they want, to others it’s being famous, to others it’s being powerful to be a “ shaker and maker”, to others its achieving their goals, to others it’s being the best person possible and setting a good example, and to a Christian it is giving, sharing and loving.

In today’s world the emphasis is so much on “me”. A person that lives only for himself will never set a good example and often brings trouble and heartache to themselves and those around them. Just listen to the news and you’ll find ample examples.

My thought today is that we should try to make the world a better place, share with others the love of God, help others, comfort others so that they are sad when it is your time to leave the world. Leave a good memory.

I ran across this poem in one of my files and thought that I would share it with you today. It is not a Christian poem, but it makes you think.


What is Success?
By Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the approval of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one's self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm
and sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived...
This is to have succeeded.