What Does It Mean To Succeed?

There is something I wrote litterally decades ago, but it still holds true today. I have gone through at least 5 different personality changes since then, if not more. (That’s “Personality CHANGES” as opposed to “PERSONALITIES”! Big difference – I think!) Maybe someone might get something out of this now. This may seem “simple”, but sometimes, “simple” can be another name for “success”.

Many times we ask ourselves:
What is it to live life to the fullest?

If you can appreciate the simplicity of a child’s song;
See the beauty in a sunrise;
Look around you at the wonders of nature
and feel in awe at all that surrounds you.
If you can see the good where all others see failure.
If you can hold your head high in the face of a crises and say:
“I will beat you. I am bigger than you.”
Then you have succeeded.

If you can laugh with others at the simple pleasures of life;
Enjoy the company of a young child;
Appreciate the gentleness of a warm summer’s day
as well as the ferocity of a storm.
If you can see the beauty in everything that surrounds you
and not only put emphasis on faults.
Then you have succeeded.

If you can be honest with everyone around you, but especially with yourself.
If you can listen to a friend with your heart, and not only your head.
If you can praise as well as criticize, and accept both with an open mind.
Then you have succeeded.

For, you see, a person doesn’t have to be rich to succeed;
Money can’t buy freedom or happiness.
You don’t have to be famous to succeed;
For fame alone has no joy.
YOU JUST HAVE TO BE YOURSELF.

If you can honestly say: “I AM ME!” and be happy about it,
Then you have truly succeeded in living life to the fullest.

written by Ingrid Ewikowski
sometime in 1980’s

Until next time,
Inge