WHAT DOES BEING SUCCESSFUL MEAN??????

We live in a world where every one is 'success driven' yet we don't even know what success really means. Everyone is in pursuit of success but very few of us can even define what this means. To some people its the corporate ladder, making sure you get to the top. And to others its the beautiful house with the white picket fence, a beautiful wife or husband with kids, a luxurious car, exotic vacation destinations, accumulating money in the bank, being famous, living in a great neighborhood and the list goes on. Interestingly, some people pursue the above in order to be happy. Those who are born in money or some money have the pressure to continue the legacy and keep the bubble. And those who were not born in money really believe that when or if they get to the top of the ladder financially they will be successful and happy. This particular group of people believes that all the problems they have had in their lives growing up and as adults will disappear once they find money. So they only focus on being successful financially and ignore everything else.

Having mentioned all the above, and realizing that most people have achieved this so called success, our society is unhappier than its ever been. Does this mean that we have missed something a long the way? Have we messed up the true definition of success? Lets ask ourselves this question. How come we have achieved so much of what we call 'success' (money) than ever before and yet we are very unhappy as a society. Could it be that we have neglected ourselves and focussed on money to define us? Money is supposed to make our lives easier and not the opposite. Maybe its because we have forgotten to nurture our souls deep within. And we have failed to focus on our inner growth and instead we have defined ourselves with what we have on the outside. This is the smartest generation that ever lived with all the technology, the money and the simplicity of life yet we are the most depressed. If we are so smart how come we are so hollow at the core of our being and how come we have run our lives and our families into the ditch? How can we be so lost with so much pain internally and yet we claim to be successful because of the titles on our business cards or with all the houses or the money in the bank? Are we really that smart after all????

Before you all resent me for saying the above, let me explain this further. There is nothing wrong with money. Having money is great and actually even having lots of money is more of a blessing. Money is supposed to help us be in positions to help ourselves and help others in need. To me, I define success as my soul being at peace with myself while i am on this journey called living. If you can be comfortable with who you are as a person deep inside yourself, and know that you are loved and accepted, and that you are enough without the all the attachments, then you are successful and from this foundation, you can begin to fully enjoy all the attachments we call success. All the attachments i mentioned in the first paragraph will pull you in every direction and by the end of your journey in this world you don't want to be saying oh boy, i feel so tired, exhausted yet i never had fun, peace, happiness and i never enjoyed the journey.

God gave us everything so our lives would be easier but not so that we become egotistic and become slaves to what He has given to us (money). All these attachments are like "our jackets". They are just external and we acquire them and we lose them. They shouldn't be our identity. How sad is it for one to work hard and instead of enjoying the fruits of his/her work, he/she digs the deepest grave of unhappiness. Money is supposed to be a blessing and not to boost the ego in us thus destruction. I will say that money will not use me nor change me but instead i will use it to change the world around me. What does success mean to you??????????