Twenty years ago, a humble steelworker who appeared to have made little difference in the world died. He wasn’t famous, never earned much money, and didn’t associate with any VIPs. But he was a good man, a loving and dedicated father, a caring husband, and a kind neighbor and friend. At his funeral, hundreds came to pay their respects to this unassuming man who never considered himself much of a success.
What is success? Real success is manifest more in the heart than the pocketbook; it’s reflected in cherished memories of loved ones; it’s defined by making a difference in others’ lives. Real success is not dependent upon social, economic, or intellectual advantage. You don’t have to sit in a corner office, travel to exotic places, or capture headlines to be successful. Anyone who helps another, who is a true friend, who puts in an honest day’s work finds real success.
Our days, be they many or few, will come to an end. So much of what some people think of as success will vanish in time; power changes hands, prestige comes and goes, and possessions break down. But a truly successful life is never forgotten. Love, goodness, and kindness stand the test of time; generosity and compassion outlive us; decency and integrity are everlasting. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “To laugh often and love much, to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children, to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty and find the best in others—that is success.”1
Program #3964
1. In Emerson Roy West, comp., Vital Quotations (1968), 342.