On Success

"The idea that making money is the best indication of success is fundamentally flawed. Far too often the individuals who make the most money are the biggest failures in every other area of life, most notably those related to personal integrity, kindhearted values, and quality of character. Many people think that achieving material success is worth total sacrifice in every other part of their life — but it couldn't be further from the truth. Success in one area of life should enable further and more meaningful success in all the other areas, too. Success materially and failure spiritually is no success at all.

Furthermore, success is not power over others, but discipline over oneself. Success is not doing whatever one wants, but doing what one is truly meant to do. Success is not fulfilling one's most immediate desires, but fulfilling one's true purpose — and fulfilling it despite obstacles, inconvenience, or how much it differs from what one otherwise feels like doing.

At best, the typical material conception of success inspires the shallowest and most superficial type of selfish ambition, and at worst, it keeps one hopelessly locked in a cycle of perceived failure, vicious competition, and unfulfilled lustful desire. It's set up from the start as a losing game, so that no one can ever really succeed, because in the contest to see who is "biggest" or "richest," no one ever really wins. You just keep scheming and clawing and battling, getting closer to emptiness and further from the truly worthwhile things in life."
         -  Andrew W.K. in the Village Voice

I found this quote in, of all places, the Village Voice. I was surprised to find this nugget of wisdom among the usual liberal musings. It was written on response to a question of how to be a successful musician, but it applies to any area or definition of success. When speaking of "fulfilling one's true purpose" it's a shame the author does not mention fulfilling God's purpose for your life. That would really be the definition of success. - T. M.