Success

Its that time of the year …  when young aspiring fellows graduate out from school to find their world and we wish them success and luck.  It seems certain you need luck for success.

It also reminds me of the office calendar that gives me the most heartburn … performance reviews.  Each has their own way to define success or the lack of it …. And its heartbreaking for some.  I, on the other hand seem like a complete loser, shaking my head in disbelief at the heartbroken ones.

Life is funny  …  its like a kaleidoscope … each pattern for each person.  And in a blink the pattern changes.  Definition of success changes.

One of my close college friend had a dream of owning a BMW.  In some harebrain moment I offered to help him in his dream, we will buy it together …  it seemed suddenly easier and fun !  We had no clue how we will buy it,  and but we discussed in details on how we will share the loot so to speak.  We will drive down to middle of the country and hand over the car for the other person every 6 months.  I hope my friend reads this blog … and I am so happy he did buy a BMW.   Are you happy my friend?

A colleague of mine boldly said that when he has acquired 10000 books he will retire to read …. His definition of success !  I wonder if he has the time and leisure to read them now.

Success is strange …   it’s a moving target sometimes, which it should be … for some its fixed, which may be good for mortal happiness  …  for some it’s a journey  ….  for some its an experience … and for  even others, its hair rising life and death matter. 

We have learnt to set lofty goals so that you stretch yourself long … we have understood that we need to acquire certain possessions to display success till we fill each available space  … we are told we need to demand attention justified or not to get success … we have been asked to list outcomes which will measure our successes.

Can lofty learning be always measured in outcomes? Is purpose and success the two sides of the coin? Is it also not a measure when you take the time to pause and hold hands for someone who needed it ? Is it not enough that you exist … and your existence makes a difference to atleast one person in the world ?  Is it pertinent that success should make you climb always?  Isnt it even more grand that you leave this world a tad bit better place than what you got ?

But one thing is certain …….  Thou shall not live forever.  Make it count.