Dear Michelle: I love your definitions of success at the end of your essay. I think that the word that sums up your definitions is 'simplicity'. It reminds me of the song "My Favorite Things" in the musical "The Sound of Music". J'aime ça !
In my little world, I would say that dreams, hopes and wishes have been more prevalent that the concept or the aspiration to success. In fact, during job interviews, I was always at a loss when asked what were my short and long-term goals. The fact that I was applying for a current position was pretty much self-explanatory in my book!
One could argue that the hope of having a family, for instance, could be my definition of success. However, I have come to the conclusion (a very long time ago) that the pressure of being married/of having a family that I felt, living in a small French-Canadian town in Northern Ontario for decades, stemmed from the townspeople themselves and THEIR idea of success and not from either myself or my family. (Thank goodness!) In other words, I would marry for love and the HOPE of having children and not for status or some superficial notion of having a successful life! (OK, I sound like I belong to another century!)
...Sometimes success is being an "extended" mom to schoolchildren, to neighbours, to borrowed nephews.
Dear Brigitte, thank you for your comment! There are times when I get caught up in certain milestones or desires and get frustrated when I don't have those things. "When I achieve X or get Y, then I'll feel successful." That's why I have to write to remind myself what truly is important. Thank you for sharing your journey when it comes to having a family. I know what it feels like to feel pressure to have (or do) what others have to "keep up" with other their idea of success and status. Sometimes it takes a while to distinguish what our true desires are because we've become to enmeshed with everybody else's agreed-upon way of doing things. "Success" can absolutely mean being an extended mom to the children in your life. You don't have to have given birth to participate in the act of mothering. I firmly believe that. One of the recurring themes in my life and writing is about listening to my inner voice and being true to myself. I am reminded of the famous line in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet': "This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man." Here's to being true to ourselves! Have a wonderful day xox
100% true! Well said. Well written.👏 This is mature thinking. 💖Success is these tiny special moments of happiness that you have to pay attention to and underlign on a daily basis. If you don't, they'll slip between your fingers. Everyday you may celebrate success! 😍
Thank you Carole! I agree with you. Sometimes we lose sight of what's important because we're so focused on what we think we should do or have. I believe in the power of life's simply pleasures and beauties! xox
I like this obsession of success!
As far as my concern! my obsession of success is only being healthy! More and more of a Good health! Thanks Michelle and good luck!
Thank you Marlene! You're right, health is so important. Health is wealth, isn't it? xox
Dear Michelle: I love your definitions of success at the end of your essay. I think that the word that sums up your definitions is 'simplicity'. It reminds me of the song "My Favorite Things" in the musical "The Sound of Music". J'aime ça !
In my little world, I would say that dreams, hopes and wishes have been more prevalent that the concept or the aspiration to success. In fact, during job interviews, I was always at a loss when asked what were my short and long-term goals. The fact that I was applying for a current position was pretty much self-explanatory in my book!
One could argue that the hope of having a family, for instance, could be my definition of success. However, I have come to the conclusion (a very long time ago) that the pressure of being married/of having a family that I felt, living in a small French-Canadian town in Northern Ontario for decades, stemmed from the townspeople themselves and THEIR idea of success and not from either myself or my family. (Thank goodness!) In other words, I would marry for love and the HOPE of having children and not for status or some superficial notion of having a successful life! (OK, I sound like I belong to another century!)
...Sometimes success is being an "extended" mom to schoolchildren, to neighbours, to borrowed nephews.
Dear Brigitte, thank you for your comment! There are times when I get caught up in certain milestones or desires and get frustrated when I don't have those things. "When I achieve X or get Y, then I'll feel successful." That's why I have to write to remind myself what truly is important. Thank you for sharing your journey when it comes to having a family. I know what it feels like to feel pressure to have (or do) what others have to "keep up" with other their idea of success and status. Sometimes it takes a while to distinguish what our true desires are because we've become to enmeshed with everybody else's agreed-upon way of doing things. "Success" can absolutely mean being an extended mom to the children in your life. You don't have to have given birth to participate in the act of mothering. I firmly believe that. One of the recurring themes in my life and writing is about listening to my inner voice and being true to myself. I am reminded of the famous line in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet': "This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man." Here's to being true to ourselves! Have a wonderful day xox
100% true! Well said. Well written.👏 This is mature thinking. 💖Success is these tiny special moments of happiness that you have to pay attention to and underlign on a daily basis. If you don't, they'll slip between your fingers. Everyday you may celebrate success! 😍
Thank you Carole! I agree with you. Sometimes we lose sight of what's important because we're so focused on what we think we should do or have. I believe in the power of life's simply pleasures and beauties! xox