All Things But None

How does one measure success? How do you measure yours? I got to thinking about that last night and this morning. Sometimes, I very much dislike the word itself: Success. I think for a lot of people, we're quite often pressured by society that one needs to be 'successful' in order to amount to anything. I think most people these days have mistaken being successful to happiness. I think I shun away from the word myself. I have food on the table, I have a job, I have someone who loves me, I have my family close by, my decent health... Not that I don't have any problems mind you, but I think I have it okay. What else can I ask for? Maybe happiness... for others.

So what is success? Have you gotten there yet? I think society and the way that we were brought up can put such a damper on things... on our mind. You have to get here and here in order to be happy about yourself, in order to fit in... or else, you might as well be a failure or a nobody. How awful is that? I think the phrase 'The Pursuit of Happiness' is kinda silly is it not? I believe the true happiness that we seek is already IN us - look no further. As for that saying, if one is in a constant state of pursuing, one will never get there. But again, of course, that's just my observation.

Anyway, I see people doing things constantly, just to keep themselves sane. Working on this, working on that, and never truly taking a breather to get themselves away long enough to really enjoy the moment, to enjoy what's already here... giving back some time to themselves. I guess you can call these people workaholics. They're not as bad as other 'holics, but to a point, I think it's still destructive.

The society says it's good to work, work, and work until you reach a certain goal. After that, work some more and set another goal, and another, and then another... Seems like the older we get, the less time we have, and the busier our schedule. We hardly have any time left to think about what is truly meaningful and important to us. I find that very sad. Of course everything has its pluses and minuses, and that there's always a flipside to all things. I guess the point I'm trying to say is that it's utterly important to have a balance in our everyday life. It truly is. And sometimes, people simply forget... and I think it's a shame.

Life isn't all about achievements. It isn't all about successes and failures. It isn't about having to accomplish this and that by this time or that. It's about knowing and understanding your heart and giving back the love to yourself, and to others. Happiness is in you, yet so is sadness. It is already happening, if you let it. One cannot and will never find it in any other place. Every thing and every thought starts with you. Right here. Inside. And I believe that.