I am curious as to just how different people measure a successful
life...I mean, is it wealth, love, happiness, honesty, peacefulness,etc.

A combination of these and more?

Could the tools used for someone born into poverty, also be used for a
child from an affluent family?

Is it black and white, or purely subjective?

Hopefully this will provoke a myriad of answers...I have always wanted
to ask a very large group of people this... most of my "life friends"
answered long ago...

Live...Learn...Laugh...Love

How do you measure success?

I so like this topic...

I asked the same question a little while ago, on another site..and the
answers are fascinating...

I ponder this question often..of myself.

I know it isn't money and career, staus within society, as I have had
that, and nope didn't taste like success.

It isn't material for me.

It isn't measured for me...it is immeasurable.

And I feel 'full', satisfied by the reflection, the mirror, of the love
in my childrens', friends', community's eyes...their lives, their joy.

I am them, so my success is their success, as a passive observer, not an
integral lynchpin...

You can't measure success for everybody it is different.
For me success is to be content with what I have.

great response Jess!

Jess...

Hello...It does not surprise me that you have the same curiosity
concerning this, as you have always left me with the impression that you
are a thoughtful one. I am glad to meet you...your beliefs are quite
similar to another here with whom I talk to from time to time...as a
matter of fact, for a while I almost thought you two were the same
person...lol... she laughed and corrected...

Invisible...

Oh, no dear, your point agrees within me, I merely am curious to hear
different opinions... broaden my horizons...ya know?

Creativesoul wrote:
"Is it black and white, or purely subjective?"

I would say that it's purely subjective, just like happiness.

Only you can decide whether or not you are happy.

Only you can decide whether or not your life has been 'successful’

You are the one who passes judgments on these things for yourself.

It would seem to me that in order to talk about ‘success’ you must have
something that you wish to ‘succeed’ at which implies a ‘goal’.

At this particular point in my life I have no ‘goal’ therefore it’s
impossible for me to ‘succeed’.

Of course, if my ‘goal’ was to become goalless, then I have already
succeeded.

: insert the sound of one hand clapping :

Hello, and thankyou..

CS -- good topic.

For me, success is based on whether or not I'm happy with what I've
done, what I'm doing, what I'm planning to do.

And with not hurting anyone, not stepping on anyone's toes, in the
process.

Money has never really meant much to me -- I see it as a useful tool,
but I'm not one to try to hoard millions of dollars for the sake of
having it. I figure it's there for a reason -- to squander on frivolous
stuff and to buy Pepsi.

Love is nice, as a concept, but as it necessitates the presence of
another person, there are certain elements of it that are beyond my
control. I have to admit, I am still trying to come to terms with the
fact that the one person I truly loved is gone, and that it's likely she
is the last one I will ever be involved with. So I have to see success
as something that can exist apart from love.

For me, it's really all about being comfortable and content within
oneself.

Abra,

You are too funny man... I respect your words...

My goal is to be completely reliant on my business(which happens to be
something I love to do) for financial resources and to not "need" as a
result, to work through the common vehicles of my family's history...
that would allow the other goals concerning daily life to evolve into
the fruits of what I consider to be success.

Surround yourself with good things and good people and you will surround
yourself with happiness.

(Insert your missing hand so you can hear the clap)...goal?


Jess...

You are more than welcome...and thank you... *insert hug*

A thoughtful and compassionate spirit indeed...

Lex...

I should have waited a minute or two longer to post the last response,
your response also agrees with me...

It seems that happiness is a fuel for the vehicle sometimes, I myself
have had to break out the "flux capacitor" in order to use the remnants
of past or the hopes of future to gain boost...
My engine knocks a 'lil though until it gets used to the "octane"
change...lol

I feel that a successful life is more of the way you feel about yourself
within. Being happy with your life and how you treat others. Are you
doing the things in life that you want to. Being there for your family
when needed. Being able to give to others and not always a taker. Just
being satisfied with what you have done in life. Knowing your friends
and family stand behind you for have always done the same. When you look
in the mirror you are happy with what you see knowing you do the best
that you can and have no regrets from the past instead you have learned
from your mistakes in order to grow.

As far as can the same tools be used for one in poverty or one of
affluent family. Sure they can but... at times the one born in poverty
will have more of a drive within to succeed for they know what it is
like to be without and it gives them and added ambition to reach
success.


As far as is it black and white that would depend upon each person
themselves and what they really want to do with there life.


For some they measure success according to your job postion, money and
the material things in life you have been able to accuire. The places
you go ect.

Money sure is nice but to me it is the person and how they treat others
and how there friends and family view them. And the person they are
within. Being at peace with yourself feeling good about yourself.

incase anyone isn't aware of what 'success' is...


noun: an attainment that is successful
noun: an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
noun: a state of prosperity or fame
noun: a person with a record of successes


to measure success, one would have to achieve something, to attain a
victory of some kind, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem
to someone else.

so when someone tells me, "Your kids are so well mannered." i take that
as a small victory, a small success in my life. and i take GREAT pride
in it.

there are many aspects of success, and the over all perspective of one's
success of themself, is what's imporant.

thnx for this topic...it's an eye opener :D

Jeez, Jess! (Lee)

That is a good photo..

I am successful. My kids are leading productive lives, I can afford to
work when, and if, I want to, and my sweetheart is moving in with me
this month..

I don't have millions, but, I feel that I am richer than any
millionaire..

Awwwww Bobby could not have said it any better congrats to you and much
happiness in the future.