So much has been written about success that one often gets confused about what success is all about. Success is such a personal thing that it may mean different things to different people. Yet we need to have a simple definition which should apply to all successful people and situations. The ultimate purpose of being successful is to take pride in one's achievements and be happy; and I think one of the best description has been put forward by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
"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."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here is the simplicity with which such a complex subject like success has been explained . If we just analyze every line we would realize that each aspect adds up to a value leading up to a successful life.
And this is the challenge of success. To have such values as to 'laugh often' or 'to find the best in others' is being successful. So simple yet when we look at ourselves and all around us we will find very few people laughing often or appreciating beauty.
The other day I met a young person working for a social organization on lowly wages hardly eking out a decent living. But what I found amazing was he talked very positively and with love to everyone he met, and he met a lot of people on our short walk. There was no bitterness in him because of his economic status nor any disgust for his work which paid him low wages. He did his work with great love. When I praised him for his positive and sunny nature he was thrilled and became a great friend though we had just met an hour back and went out of the way to help me with my assignment.
It is often the most difficult thing to praise anyone. We may admire so many people and their work but fail to give credit openly or acknowledge and praise the persons concerned.
This is what I did and it was a win win day for both of us. Now let us just think about how much success can be achieved in a day if we follow all of Emerson's success formula.
The challenge of success is to follow the simple values. The few simple things in life will always account for the major successes in our life. It is not to suggest that there are only these simple ideas that would affect our successes but it is our focus on the simple things that will have the greatest impact in our lives. What we read above of Emerson's words are proven wisdom that have flowed down for centuries but yet retained their ageless and timeless relevance.
While success training is becoming more and more complex with new programs with fancy success matrixes or best sellers being touted as the ultimate answer, hitting us everyday, I invite you all to look at the challenge of understanding the simple yet powerful wisdom of the the great thinkers such as Emerson.
About The Author
R.G. Srinivasan is a certified trainer and a management consultant. He is the author of e-books, publishes 3 blogs on health, Home Business and management. He is also a widely published author. Check out his blog at http://home-businessresources.blogspot.com
Ask any of my kids and they'll tell you immediately... Read More
I live in a beautiful place.This is the village of... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 2,... Read More
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More
It is not very often that I have an issue... Read More
"Can't see the forest because of the trees," heard it... Read More
In life we all have dreams and goals, aspirations to... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 16,... Read More
"Come out of the circle of time and into... Read More
In 1982, I found myself in Eden. What I found... Read More
Keeping a journal during the coaching process is one of... Read More
"And thou shalt say unto Pharoah, Thus saith the Lord,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 8,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 11,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 5,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 30,... Read More
According to the Buddhists, between January 29 and February 12... Read More
It was way past 10:00 pm when I came home... Read More
For those people who lost friends and loved ones... Read More
Matches are all about power; a new world opens up... Read More
As year 2004 winds up and professionals and corporate bodies... Read More
The tiny dogwood sapling was only a twig when my... Read More
I find of particular interest in the Eastern Religions many... Read More
It's funny how an acquaintance from the past just pops... Read More
The Thorns of Opportunity...What are you trying so hard to... Read More
When I was a child, I remember that my parents... Read More
What could be nearer to us than our own selves.... Read More
You Can Overcome panic attacks and anxiety! That is great... Read More
Have you ever listened to self hypnosis tapes? Or listened... Read More
BORN OF BODY AND SPIRITWe are born of the body... Read More
Everyday I meet people who have a chronic upset that... Read More
Both failure and success are good... if you know what... Read More
This is a true story about a woman I worked... Read More
These days, I find the lines are blurred between school... Read More
The other night I was watching a documentary on that... Read More
Somebody said you have to love what you do, but... Read More
This morning at 5:22am to 6am, I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed... Read More
You've heard the saying, "You are what you eat." I... Read More
Wow, it's a new year and a new millennium! What... Read More
Researchers are seeking to identify how dolphins communicate. Unfortunately it... Read More
If you walk up to a stranger in the grocery... Read More
In brief, my book A REASON FOR LIVING is the... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 2,... Read More
"It doesn't interest me who you are, or how you... Read More
It is fun to watch movies of those with super... Read More
Ask any of my kids and they'll tell you immediately... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 10,... Read More
The true story I'm about to share will have a... Read More
Whenever we are working on our dreams we are going... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 26,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 29,... Read More
Most of us believe that our happiness and security are... Read More
I have always wondered how the Red Sea parted as... Read More
In 1982, I found myself in Eden. What I found... Read More
I have always thought that grandparents were the icons of... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 9,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 9,... Read More
The ongoing teachings are exemplified in an understanding and execution... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 25,... Read More
The world is perfect the way it is. The world... Read More
"An unexamined life is not worth living."-- SocratesI have just... Read More
One of the biggest obstacles to our self growth and... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 24,... Read More
Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge".Did you know... Read More
As there are silent depths in the ocean, which the... Read More
Matthew 5:14-16You are the light of the world. A city... Read More
Inspirational |