I have learned that the search for success or value are two different roads.
What is a person of success? Is he one with dozens of plaques of recognition lined up on his shelf, numerous titles to his name, a huge fortune in the bank, or a string of achievements making the headlines in the papers every month? Does he drive a Rolls Royce and own dozens more, has several homes in other countries, is surrounded by a bevy of beauties everywhere he goes, and a wife who heads every charitable institution in town decked out in her diamonds and haute couture clothes?
What is a person of value? This I know. He respects the individual and acknowledges the right of every living thing to co-exist, believes in the basic goodness of man regardless of how he may have made an asshole of himself, believes in hope – progress – change – honor - justice - faith - innate abilities and potential, pursues right, defends truth, wishes good for all people and the world and puts in his two-cents worth to make it happen, has the ability to see through deceit–pretense–sadness–fear–hopelessness–greed… and understands that everything has its reason for being but that we have a choice to seek out the good and reject anything that would and could work to harm it.
A tall order you say? --Maybe and because some say that it would run contrary to a man’s human nature of self-preservation and self-pampering. Yes it would, it will but I will stake my bottom dollar on this idea that value far outweighs success. Because I think success will and can’t always buy you value where it counts, but value can ultimately and definitely lead you to success --- the kind which truly matters in life!
"Try not to become a person of success, but rather to become a person of value." - Albert Einstein
Awesome post Ellen once again!!!! And I am glad that I am quiet close to the latter in the post.....but yes I must mention that this world is made a tough place to survive without success...but yes success means different things to different people......what do you say??
ReplyDelete... and i can feel that you're a person of value. though, i don't know you personally, your writing reflects your personality.
ReplyDeletenice post po. :)
Hi there, jigyasa!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great thing -- "...And I am glad that I am quiet close to the latter in the post...." :-)
Yup, different strokes for different folks, so to speak. I take my hat off to the person who gets more out of life through learning all there is to learn about it.
Thanks for the lovely visit.
Take care, won't you?
God bless you and your family.
So nice to see you here, Lei!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely warm and encouraging message. Your message reflects a time-old wisdom that a person is known by what he thinks, say, or do. I can say with honesty that it is such a pleasure knowing you - you are a gem.
Blessings to you and your family, my friend.