Webster's Dictionary defines success in three ways: (a) a degree or measure of succeeding (b) favorable or desired outcome (c) the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.
Everyday we are bombarded with images of wealth and granduer and told that this is what we should want. Popular culture perpetuates this theory with television shows and songs that are made to influence our thinking. Recently, tragically, the ecomony has forced many people out of work and those popular images seem more out of reach then ever. People are turning inward and helping one another, learning how to live on less, and expecting more from the simple pleasures in life. There's no fancy camp for the kids this summer, no trips to Africa, no new cars, no latest fashions, just learning how to live better on less.
Does this mean that people are less successful simply because they do not have as many things as they would like?
So often as parents, we cannot always see the favorable outcome or the desired success because we are caught up in the day to day routine of our lives. But there is success. Small though it is sometimes, out kids won't care if they go to Africa, but if their parents played with them. I know that I am preaching to the choir, but I often struggle with the reality of not being about to provide all the things that some parents can to their children because my husband and I choose a more meaningful path. Are we less succeessful?
Today's Successes:
1. The Dishwasher. Fixed and doing the job of ten people right now.
2. The Classmate. My oldest finally spoke up for herself and told her teacher, after working with her for 7 months, when a classmate pushed her today. Yeah!
3. Potty Victory. My oldest had a potty victory outside the house today. Yeah!
A pretty successful day in my opinion. What are your successes?
1 comment:
I once read that success equals results divided by expectations. It's not so much that our expectations are "lowered" to achieve success as much as they are "different" kinds of expectations for a different kinds of successes.
I cringe at the third of Webster's definitions. If that is success, the I just simply don't want to be successful! Our English language is so imprecise, because there really should be a different word for that part of the definition.
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