We often come across the word –Success, its importance in our life. Right from childhood certain parameters of success have been imbibed in our minds and thoughts. Lines of demarcation are created, ways are generated, and thoughts are restricted – why? To achieve that success in our life which in turn depends on certain norms, conditions and perceptions –defined by the society we live in.
Is success only about being most powerful, rote learning without understanding the true meaning of the subject, being an IIT, IIM and any other premier institute graduate, securing top position in competitive examinations, being a gold medalist, enjoying a luxurious life in the most expensive mansion, owning some expensive brands of car, earning a decent salary to make life comfortable? Is success only measured by these materialistic things or still after being so educated and technology savvy we are not able to understand its true meaning? Does success which we define really exist?
SUCCESS – The Misunderstood Perception
Well my friends, I believe – in reality, success exist but not the way we measure it. We inculcate certain parameters of success in our mind and thoughts and if things go the right way we feel we succeed and if not we work even harder to achieve that success. In practicality that success – is our reality, not the actual reality. It’s the illusion of what only our eyes can see and fear can think up. To quote –
IRIS MURDOCH – an Irish born British novelist and philosopher said – WE LIVE IN A FANTASY WORLD, A WORLD OF ILLUSION. THE GREAT TASK IN LIFE IS TO FIND REALITY.
Yes, it’s very true. The success which we define is an illusion, a perception misunderstood, a deception, a myth. The mirror image of our vicious thoughts. It has no end because we are never satisfied. To explain – let’s take an example – a child aims to get a good percentage in exams, he achieves it. Next, he decides to get admission to some good college, he succeeds again. Then he will plan ahead and so on ….. the circle will go on. He will not rest till his last breath because for him he has not achieved success yet. He may have added many laurels to his life but the seeds of success that have been planted in his mind and now fully grown into a tree do not give him that perfect picture of success which he has presumed (here success is used as a metaphor, see I can be a good teacher, want tuition, hahaha). To explain further I want to quote – IN THE PURSUIT OF SUCCESS, ALL THE CHOICES THAT ARE PRESENTED TO US ARE JUST ILLUSIONS.
What SUCCESS Really Is ?
So now the question is what does success really means? Well, my dear friends, I believe success has no definition. You define something when you can measure it. How to measure success? Can you count it? If you achieve something that’s your achievement, not success (we always take achievement as synonyms of success). Success is not about the destination, it’s a journey, a vision, a realization of self-content, being patient no matter how provoking the surroundings are, coming out of your comfort zone and taking the risk. To quote –
SUCCESS IS A VISION…THE CLEARER IT IS…THE MORE SUCCESSFUL IS ONE’S LIFE…HOWEVER ….ONE’S VISION CANNOT REALLY EXTEND TO A YEAR OR TWO ONLY…THE VISION NEEDS TO BE BROADER, CLEARER. WE THEN MIGHT BE IN A STATE TO CALL OUR LIFE SUCCESSFUL.
So why are we so desperate about getting that success? Have you ever thought? Well, I believe (yes myself also ), we have never extended our imagination horizon beyond that extreme limit. So the answer – it’s not the success but the change and happiness associated with it that makes us crave for it. This reality is not visible to us or rather we are not able to comprehend or contemplate it. It is true that success differs from person to person but the result is same for everyone that is –happiness.
Lastly, success is not about wealth, popularity, comfort, winning or losing. It’s about living, enjoying every phase of life no matter at what age or stage you are. Appreciating what you have with a passion to improve with each passing day. Being happy and trying to bring some change in other’s life. Well, it’s all about living and appreciating it.
Just concluding with the quote – CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION FOR SUCCESS AND YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR REALITY.
(This is my personal view of success you may differ from it.)
Have a look
Now I understand the perfect meaning of success. Thank you for this.