I think all of society (ourselves included) would benefit if we started defining success differently:
Rather than defining success by the brand of clothing we can afford, may we find it in the number of people we have helped to clothe.
Rather than defining success by the amount of money in our bank account, may we find it in how much we used to help others.
Rather than defining success by the size of our house, may we find it in the amount of love that was shown there.
Rather than defining success by our level of education, may we find it in the degree of our integrity.
Rather than defining success by the number of ‘likes’ on our Instagram post, may we find it in how edifying and encouraging that post was to others.
Rather than defining success by the type of car that we drive, may we find it in those we have picked up in life and set down on a better road.
Rather than defining success by how loud our voice is, may we find it in how often we spoke up for those without one.
Rather than defining success in the quality and quantity of our personal possessions, may we find it in the level of selflessness we have shown to others.
Rather than defining success in the number of people who love us, may we find it in the number of people we have loved.
Joanna Schoff says
Printing this so i can read it again and again.
Maria says
This post made me cry
Thank you for those words. I needed them so bad. They are very very true.
Why I have spent my life thinking that I will have succeeded when I; wear Prada, drive a Maserati and live in a mansion….. I don’t know.
As a Christian I should be ashamed. I am ashamed.
Monica T Smith says
Love this post! Reminds me of Isaiah 58:6-12. Thank you for a fresh (yet ancient) perspective!
Erin says
Beautifully said and a great guide for life. Sharing this with my family and friends!
David @ Filled With Money says
It’s absolutely important to define success and know that you actually want the goal you are trying to achieve. Otherwise, we’ll spend decades trying to get to a place and find out we don’t even want to get there in the first place.
Maria Pinto says
Great posts here! It is like the old saying of constantly reaching for the elusive brass ring. That is not success or happiness. I think today more than ever as we are so enmeshed in the instant (or so we think) world of gratification via our computers, smart phones (or not), devices it is vitally important to try and re-establish a better connection with nature and all the beauty the natural world has to offer.
Shilpa Srinath says
Amazing Values
Loved the line on Instagram post and off course all points.
Anne Pratt says
Amen.
Gabrielle says
Beautiful and just what I needed reminding of today!