12/30/20
As we complete another year,
A dear friend asked me
“How were the last 12 months,”
*Was it a “successful” Year?*
I sat back & reviewed the year gone by and That got me thinking,
“What is success?” What does “success” mean to me.
Success is definitely not about the cars you own, the home you live in or the wealth in your vault.
Success is about relationships,
Are you a successful son, husband,
A successful brother, father,
A successful Friend, leader
A successful teacher, follower,
Do people smile when they hear your name?
Do they look up to you for help & guidance?
Do they consider you fair,
And I was reminded of these wonderful words of Bessie Anderson Stanley,
“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.”
At the end of my introspection,
I realized that I still have a long way to success.
I still need to travel a fair distance,
I still need to make significant improvements in my attitude & behavior,
I still need to win many a heart,
I still need to forgive many & move on,
I still need to unravel many a mystery,
I still need to understand & comprehend many a truth,
before I can truly claim success.
Remember there is only one way to find out if you are successful or not, go to a mirror and Check for yourselves & you will get the right answer.
A mirror never lies.
This too shall pass,
May the start of a new Year bring more meaningful success to all my family & friends and may we all stay blessed forever.