What Does ‘Success’ Mean to You?

How do you  measure success?  Money, trophies and folks "cheering you on" are always nice, but there's a better way. Thanks to a former coworker, I have a pretty good "ruler" for measuring mine!

I worked with my friend "Suzanne" for a little more than seven years.  One day, she handed in her resignation; she was moving on to bigger and better things.  As she packed up, Suzanne came over and gave me a poem that would forever change the way I look at myself and view my successes. Please read on, and then tell me what you think.

(By the way, one of my successes is featured above in the photo. My daughter is the blonde cheerleader in the middle of the picture!)

How Do You Measure 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 to endure the betrayal of false friends.

To appreciate beauty,

To find the best in others,

To leave the world  a little better, whether by a healthy child, a redeemed social condition, or a job well done.

To know even one other life has breathed because you lived.

This is to have succeeded.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson