‘What Is Success?’

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and
the affection of children;
To earn the approbation 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.-The Epoch Times Jan 2022

There is a debate of who composed this familiar poem Ralph Waldo Emerson or Bessie Anderson Stanley. Personally, I thought the words were “love and be loved” were included in this piece. Must be in some movie instead. Regardless of the author, or verbatim prose, reading this poem I realize this is something I have thought about. Have you?

Does Success Matter?

Ah, how is success measured? Fame and fortune perhaps? The impression of others?

To be real, it costs money to live any lifestyle. Yes, we need to have a plan on how to transition from one type of income to another. The Rooster always has a dollar amount in mind. I have always said we need enough. It’s really the same answer. Check off the fortune success box. Fame comes and goes and takes constant work to maintain. Removing this totally off the list. The impression of others is human nature don’t you think? Do any of us want others to think badly of us? Of course not. Does everyone think highly of us all the time? Of course not. One thing I have accepted recently is that I can’t control someone’s impression of me and more importantly, there are many people in life that never think twice about me. Rude awakening, girl!

So thanks to Waldo, Bessie and whatever movie this other saying is from…I’m at peace with the notion of success moving forward.

To know even one life is breathing easier because I
am living, to love and beloved, is how I am going to determine success.–llb