Success

We are all familiar with Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem defining Success.


To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better,
         whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

Recently, I began participating in an online Retreat for the Writer's Soul.  Each day, in addition to a short meditation, I receive a writing challenge.   One such challenge was to create our own definition of success, following Emerson's lead.

It took me just about all day to put it together.  I played with phrases and words that spoke "success" to me.  It was a tough assignment, but one that I really enjoyed.

I share it here, and offer a challenge to my readers to think about what success is all about to you.


Silver Success
To embrace the joy in every day;
To forgive your past mistakes, and learn from your experiences;
To practice grace, and grant second chances;
To love yourself so that you can truly give love to others; to offer encouragement to fellow travelers through life; 
To scatter kindness as you go;
To leave a legacy of love.

This is to have succeeded.

 Blessings!
Anita

Comments

Always...In His Grip!!! Lisa said…
Oh I love the Silver Success. Must remember this.
I do think I'll write a few of my own. As always, from the heart.
September 21, 2015 at 9:42 PM
beverley said…
Lovely contemplative reflection on the meaning of a good life and what it might involve. It's both peaceful and compelling--a challenge to reflect on one's life and find how to live more fully and happily.
September 30, 2015 at 6:48 PM
Kevin said…
I feel successful when I manage to put some space(time) between me impulse and my action.
November 14, 2016 at 9:08 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Day Time Stopped

Image
February 17, 2020 was the Day Time Stopped. I've struggled for words ever since.  The morning was foggy.   So foggy I couldn't see across the cove. So foggy that Facebook friends were commenting that it was the thickest fog they'd ever seen. Instead of "walking on little cat feet," this fog landed like thick concrete. The phone rang. My sister said there had been a car accident. Our parents were injured. We raced to the hospital in Charlotte. Our daddy died that evening. Our mama died two days later, on the 19th. Time Stopped. Nothing will ever be the same again. ***** The first time we walked back into their house, everything was waiting. The chicken waited to welcome them back home. Daddy's lift chair waited for him to come sit back down. Mama's books and crossword puzzles waited for her to pick them back up. Breakfast dishes waited to be washed. Mama's earrings and "Charlie" perfume waited to be worn. Daddy's Tyson cap waited to be put...
Read more

Vision, Stuck, Children, back at Christ Harvests

Image
July 27 & 27, 2008 Hello everyone! It's been a whirlwind weekend! I've much to share with you. Saturday, we planned to go into Accra to see the new MALL! This is a "first" in Ghana, a huge shopping mall with lots of shops & two grocery stores that make Wal-mart look like a Super Dollar. There is standard pricing -- no bargaining. It was elegant & obviously for an "upscale" clientele. I stood in there, amazed -- this is one sign of the progress made in the past 3 years. The last time I visited here, that was simply unimaginable! However, before we left for Accra, Rev. James said he was going with us to a "surprise" and then we'd go on to Accra. He instructed the driver to an area deep inside Community 25. Comm.5 is the newest community to be incorporated into the city of Tema. It's just in the beginning stages of development; not many houses -- YET. As we drove the narrow muddy potholed road that had only recently...
Read more

Shopping Day, "Road to Emmaus"

Our last Saturday in Ghana, we loaded into the van and headed toward Accra. We'd "play" today -- most of our work was finished. The Kwame Nkrumah National Shrine was closed for repairs. We had hoped to visit there; I've been a time or two, but I like to share it with team members because it gives a good view of Ghana's recent history. The symbolism of the place intrigues me, also -- the building itself looks like the handle of a sword; indeed it is supposed to look like a sword buried in the sand up to its hilt to symbolize peace. We went to the Arts and Crafts market. What a busy place! Tiny stalls, jam-packed with jewelry, carvings, paintings, clothing, baskets, leather goods, drums, just about everything you can imagine! A riot of color and sound, with people calling out to you, beckoning you to come take a short look at what they have to offer. It can get a little bit suffocating, to be honest. Bargaining is commonly the way to shop, too. "Come, Madame, I...
Read more