How Do You Measure Success?
Now there’ a question! So wow do you measure success?
Ultimately it depends on what you want from life. Some people measure success in material objects like big houses, flash cars or maybe jetting off to exotic places five times a year. And others measure it by the more simple things in life, like happiness and contentment.
Not to be forgotten are those special few whose idea of a successful life is one spent helping others.
Not everyone’s idea of success is having a Ferrari parked out front.
What Got Me Thinking
After years of saying we need to downsize and not take on any more pets, the other day we acquired another dog. Taking our dog count back up to five.
Taking on another dog isn’t a problem, well not to me and the rest of the family, it’s what makes us happy. Yes, they cost money and they have needs that have to be met, which takes time, but in return we get pleasure from them.
I don’t know if your trail of thought works like this, but the next thing that sprung to mind was a conversation I had, many moons ago. In my late teens, I worked two jobs so I could save money to go travelling. In the daytime I worked as a waitress in a cafe. At night I worked as a cleaner in an insurance firm.
I got along with the chaps who would often work late in the offices. And would get asked all sorts of questions. One of the chaps was a bit pompous and asked me what I wanted from life. When I honestly answered that I just wanted to be happy, he laughed. He couldn’t understand how that could possibly be enough.
When I returned the question, he informed me that he wanted a fast car, a massive house and big boat. Which even back then I found very sad and I do wonder if he achieved his goals in life. I hope so and I hope he’s very happy too.
Fast Forward To Now
I look around and we live in a tatty, old house (rented). We have two tatty old cars parked outside. We have a son and a daughter, who for all their faults, seem relatively well balanced. I have a husband who works hard to provide for us. We have five dogs and two cats. And although money maybe tight, we never go without….
Most importantly though I am happy with my life. Which is all I have ever wanted.
We have food on the table and a roof over our heads.
I get to enjoy freedom (well, as much as any parent ever does!) and we are safe.
I wake up in the morning to the sound of the birds chirping.
I have people whose company I enjoy and interests that stimulate me.
And we live on a beautiful island.
It is the simple things in life that make me happy.
To me that’s success.
How do you measure success? Do you measure success by the finer things in life or the simpler things? And more importantly are you happy?
© 2016, Debbie. All rights reserved.
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