Success

"I just want to be me. That’s all. That’s my idea of success. Just to be myself."


Today in American Studies, we talked about how parent's work tirelessly so that their children can be successful.  I started to think about what success means in modern American society.  It seems to me that Americans generally associate success with money, power and things like cars, nice clothes and big houses.  The dictionary definition of success is actually quite fitting.  It reads as follows, "the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like."  It is hard for me to accept such a shallow definition which only allows rich and important people to be successful.  


Many of my heros and role models do not fit this criteria, but I would certainly think they are successful.  I will take one example, Clifford Brown.  Clifford Brown was and still is looked at as one of the greatest Jazz trumpeters ever to be heard.  He was certainly not wealthy, nor was he powerful, however he did what he loved and used his creativity and ability to create beautiful music and make a difference.  I see this as incredible success.


During my research for this blog post I found a project entitled What It Means To Be Successful: Lessons From the Lives of Homeless Women.  I strongly suggest reading more than the mere quotes and excerpts I can offer in this post, this collection of oral histories is truly eye opening.  One of the interviewees named Dani stated that "I feel successful just being alive." and that "I just want to be me. That’s all. That’s my idea of success. Just to be myself." Dani also expressed, "I don’t want all that stuff and to wind up not a good person." 


How can Dani call herself successful if she is neither wealthy nor is she powerful?  Because Dani finds success not in materialistic things like money which only corrupt people, but  rather in morals and character.  Dani believes that you can have nothing, and be more successful than any multi-millionare as long as you are a kind, caring and happy person who is true to his or her self.


I find the message that Dani conveys is profoundly true.  It is not what you posses that defines you and your accomplishments but rather who you are.