Changing Winds

How do you define success? Within the past 2 months, I have come to question my definition of success. After all, is it my definition or just a definition that was assigned by my employer, by my parents, and by the society I live in. I do not believe that I have taken the time to look at who I am and what I need to achieve to be happy. Consequently, that lack of self reflection has pushed me into an environment where I am a chimp. I compete for survival based on a set of rules that have never been actively accepted by me. Did I consciously decide that money, power, and prestige were success indicators for me? As a child, did we consciously covet these things? I remember valuing my friends, family, ability to day dream, positivity. So, why is it that today I have succumbed to the allure of material objects? Did I become that 'comfortable' that I forgot who I was and what I value most in life?

Well, it is better to have this conversation with myself now rather than when I'm retiring. This way, I won't look back on my life and think "If only I had chosen another path..."

My definition of success is waiting to be defined. But it will no longer be defined by the bank, by my parents, or by society. It will be defined by me, accepted by me, and lived by me. Life is what you make of it... a truth that has hit home. And I intend to make the most of the opportunity.