Your definition of success. Options

[Mistress Bags]

I remember having a conversation with my stepmom half a year ago about how my own grandmother thinks I'm a big stupid loser because I'm not in college at the moment, I don't have a car, I don't have much money, and I didn't have my own apartment (which I do now). My stepmom made a point, saying that in her eyes, I'm not successful because most of society views success as being financially stable and in college or working a respectable job. She said that my grandmother's perspective of me is flawed, so instead of seeing me as an intelligent, mature young adult, she sees me as a lazy, unsuccessful teenager, thus making me immature and stupid-- basically, a failure at life.

Anyhow, that got me thinking: if the normal people believe that the only definition of success, what would the more intelligent people have to say about it?

What, in your opinion, is your definition of success, as an individual?


(And if this topic is repeated, I'm sorry; I searched many keywords and didn't find anything on it.)

[*mipadi*]

A few months ago, I had a conversation with my friend about this very idea. The worship of money is almost appalling in America, when you really think about it. People work all their lives—sometimes at jobs they hate—just so they can buy a lot of crap that they don't really need. Look at the average family's home, and see all the little trinkets and gadgets that aren't necessary or even useful in the slightest way.

It occurred to me that I don't want to work my whole life to fill up my house with stuff I don't need. My friend agreed, and told a good anecdote. He's at college, studying to be a doctor. Sure, he likes it; it's cool. But he's also an avid skiier, and he said his real thrill comes from looking down at the top of a sharp slope, feeling the adrenaline rush, and then whooshing off down that slope. In a way, that's what he lives for. He lives to ski, and he looks forward to tackling many more slopes. Being a doctor might help secure finances for that, but being a doctor isn't necessarily what he is.

The problem is that in America, you're defined by your job. As an adult, when people ask who you are or what you do, they don't expect answers like "I'm a skiier" or "I'm an amateur musician" or "I grow a fabulous garden in my backyard." They expect answers like "I'm a teacher" or "I'm the vice-president of finance for This Corp."

I think a person is successful if they are passionate about something, and lives to fulfill his passion, whatever that may be. And I think a person is successful if he is truly content and happy. Happiness and passion is what life is about. You only get one shot, so you might as well make it happen now.

[Mr. Slowjamz]

btw mipadi i kinda get intimidated by your avatar lol .