SUCCESS

Success is not an accident. It is the result of our attitude and our attitude is a choice.
Hence success is a matter of choice and not chance.
Most crackpots keep waiting for a jackpot. But can that bring success?
A priest was driving by and saw an exceptionally beautiful farm. He stopped his car to
appreciate the bountiful crop. The farmer was riding on his tractor and saw the priest at
the corner. He drove towards the Priest and when he got there the priest said, "God has
blessed you with a beautiful farm. You should be grateful for it. The farmer replied, "Yes,
God has blessed me with a beautiful farm and I am grateful for it, but you should have
seen this farm when God had the whole farm to himself!"
How come one person moves forward with one success after another, and yet some are
still getting ready?
How come one man goes through life crossing one hurdle after another, accomplishing
his goals while another struggles and gets nowhere?
If the answer to these two questions can become part of the curriculum, it could
revolutionize the educational system. The uncommon man seeks opportunity, whereas
the common man seeks security. We need to keep our minds on what we want, not on
what we don't want.

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

A lot of research has gone into the subject of success and failure. All that we need to do
is learn our lessons from history. When we study the life histories of successful people,
we find that they have certain qualities in common no matter which period of history they
lived in. Success leaves clues and if we identify and adopt the qualities of successful
people, we shall be successful. Similarly, there are characteristics common in all failures.
If we avoid those characteristics, then we shall not be failures. Success is no mystery,
but simply the result of consistently applying some basic principles. The reverse is just as
true: Failure is simply a result of making a few mistakes repeatedly. All of this might
sound too simplistic, but the fact is that most truths are very simple. I'm not saying they
are easy, but they certainly are simple.
To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent persons
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 off one's self without the
slightest thought of return;
To have accomplished a task, whether
by a healthy child, a rescued soul, a
garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with
Enthusiasm and sung with exaltation;
To know that even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

HOW DO WE DEFINE SUCCESS?
What makes a person successful? How do we recognize success?
To some people, success might mean wealth. To others, it is recognition, good health,
good family, happiness, satisfaction, and peace of mind. What this really tells us is that
success is subjective. It can mean different things to different people. The definition that I
feel summarizes "success" well is:
Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.
Earl Nightingale
Let's look at these definitions carefully.
"Progressive" means that success is a journey, not a destination. We never arrive. After
we reach one goal, we go on to the next and the next and the next.
"Realization" means it is an experience. Outside forces cannot make me feel successful.
I have to feel it within myself. It is internal not external.
"Worthy" refers to our value system. Which way are we heading? Positive or negative?
Worthiness determines the quality of the journey. That is what gives meaning and
fulfillment. Success without fulfillment is empty.
Why? "Goals" are important. Because they give us a sense of direction.
Success does not mean being accepted by everyone. There are some groups I would not
want to be accepted by, out of choice. I would rather be criticized by fools than
appreciated by unsavory characters.
I define success as a manifestation of good luck that results from inspiration, aspiration,
desperation and perspiration; generally in that sequence.
Success and happiness go hand in hand. Success is getting what you want and
happiness is wanting what you get!
Existence alone is not success! It is a lot more!
Do more than exist -- live
Do more than touch -- feel
Do more than look -- observe
Do more than read -- absorb
Do more than hear -- listen
Do more than listen -- understand


John H. Rho