What Is Success? [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

Gvac

03-09-2007, 08:24 PM

One thing I've learned in my relatively short time on this planet is that our definition of the word "success" changes over time.  In my younger days I yearned for stardom and riches, which I guess is a fairly common goal for those bursting with youthful exuberance and naivete.  As I've gotten older, though, these things seem increasingly trivial and downright undesirable.  At this stage of my life, I define success as living honestly and contently, being at peace with yourself and the world around you.  Forging close relationships and enjoying your time away from work are the truly important things, not how much money you have in the bank or how big of a house you own.  I'm sure some of you have very different ideas.How do you define success?

Kevin

03-09-2007, 08:26 PM

Gvac wrote: One thing I've learned in my relatively short time on this planet is that our definition of the word "success" changes over time. In my younger days I yearned for stardom and riches, which I guess is a fairly common goal for those bursting with youthful exuberance and naivete. As I've gotten older, though, these things seem increasingly trivial and downright undesirable. At this stage of my life, I define success as living honestly and contently, being at peace with yourself and the world around you. Forging close relationships and enjoying your time away from work are the truly important things, not how much money you have in the bank or how big of a house you own. I'm sure some of you have very different ideas.How do you define success?  If you truly are content in your heart with what you have achieved in your life... Then you are a success.

BLZBUBBA

03-09-2007, 08:28 PM

Earl?

TheMojoPin

03-09-2007, 08:28 PM

I am Elmer J. Fudd, millionaire.I own a mansion and a yacht.

Fallon

03-09-2007, 08:28 PM

Happiness.

PapaBear

03-09-2007, 08:30 PM

 I think only small steps in life can be judged as successful. Overall success of an entire life can only be determined at or near the end of life. One can have a terrible track record for many years and still end up being successful. At the same time, someone else can do successful things for most of their life, then screw it all up in the end.

BLZBUBBA

03-09-2007, 08:32 PM

Yeah.  As you get older and see more people being put in the ground you realize that life is short.  So being happy is what it's all about.  Making the most of those days above ground.

Gvac

03-09-2007, 08:34 PM

BLZBUBBA wrote: Yeah. As you get older and see more people being put in the ground you realize that life is short. So being happy is what it's all about. Making the most of those days above ground.And what would "making the most of those days above ground" entail?

Fat_Sunny

03-09-2007, 08:46 PM

If You See Success As BEING Or HAVING Something...Being Famous Or Having Money Or Being Adored Or Having A Mansion...Then You Will End Disappointed.  Success Comes Unlooked-For, As A By-Product Of DOING The Best You Can At Everything You Do.  If You Make It Your Goal To Fill Every Day With Accomplishments, No Matter How Small, Then You Will Feel Successful Each And Every Day.  And If You Feel Successful, You Are Successful!

Team_Ramrod

03-09-2007, 08:55 PM

In my opinion success is happiness and content.You can be happy with your family life and unhappy with your professional life or visa versa but I won't consider myself a success until I have a handle on both and do well in both.

jamesdiggy

03-09-2007, 08:58 PM

<dt class="quote"></dt><dt class="quote">"What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." - Bob Dylan</dt>

BLZBUBBA

03-09-2007, 09:00 PM

Being a better son,  brother,  and uncle.  Spending more time with family.  Pretty difficult the way we're spread out.  My Dad is pretty old and I doubt he'll be around much longer.  Spending more time with him would be a priority right now.  And I have friends I visit around the country when I can. We usually meet up at racetracks.  Mostly Indy lately.  I could give you a list of hobbies but that would get boring.  However I do have a priority right now of mastering this motorcycle I bought.  It's a hot bike that will go 0-60 in 3 seconds.  Not with me on it mind you.  I'm convinced if I'd had something like this in my teens I would have died quite early.  It's just one of those things that looking ahead to my deathbed...I would have regretted not having given motorcycling a try.  And using extreme caution...maybe my deathbed won't be asphalt.  Shouldn't be too bad around here.  Rural Texas.  Flat and spread out.  And I'll do this with relation to the irrational fears thread....as you advised.  I'll spend more time trusting co-workers...but less time trusting drivers. There you go.

mdr55

03-10-2007, 02:56 AM

Post count. But my post count isn't that high, so I guess I'm not successful. But then again, that might be a good thing.<img src="http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/huh.gif" border="0" />

oh_kee_pa

03-10-2007, 03:11 AM

i missed my chance for being a success tuesday night at 11:02 when none of my numbers came in

Don Stugots

03-10-2007, 03:23 AM

success:  a nice place to live (not a huge house but not a cardboard box), a happy marriage, the time to enjoy what is important to me, the ability to look at myself in the mirror and be proud of who i am, to have honor and respect.  To know that i have worked hard for and earned everything that i might have.  nothing being handed to me, not once, not ever.  That i never forgot what it was like to be really poor when i was growing up.  I help those that need it or cannot help themseleves.  I never become calous to pain and suffering of others.   GVAC, we really do need to talk.  the whole being at peace with the world around us is something that i struggle with.

Don Stugots

03-10-2007, 03:38 AM

just another thought: i also feel that if i was at peace with everything that i would lose a part of myself.  i have been told to take pills to make myself feel better but i always feel that if i take something that will take the edge off i will not be me anymore.  how?  one way is i think i would lose my phunny.  humor for me comes from the dark places in my mind and heart.  it takes my rage to comeout with alot of the things that i say or post.  if i lose that, then what?

DonInNC

03-10-2007, 03:38 AM

I measure my success as the degree of positive effect I have on the world around me. Are my family members and friends enriched by their relationship with me? Am I making a real contribution professionally? Am I actually accomplishing something or am I just carrying out assigned tasks? For the past ten years or so I considered myself successful just because I've risen to a place in life higher than what was expected of me, and I did it pretty much on my own. But now I'm at a place where I can't see myself as successful if I'm sticking my kids with a bunch of student loans or if I can't help them out a bit as they start adulthood. In that way, I guess I now see money as a measure of my success. But then again, I've always had a hard time just being content. I don't know why, it just scares the hell out of me. Thanks for the thread GVAC, it's a great subject.

mdr55

03-10-2007, 03:43 AM

You see this mountain infront of you and plan how to climb it. Once you reach the top, alot of thoughts go through your head (maybe it's the air) ranging from "I did it", "The view is good but not as good as I thought it would be", "The View is incredible" and you look down and notice you left your camera behind, You've reached the top with all your hard work and think "Now what. Where do I go from here?", You're mad at yourself cuz you did all this work to climb the top of the mountain and realize maybe I coulda done something else instead.

Bulldogcakes

03-10-2007, 03:56 AM

Somebody smarter than me once said this about happiness Happiness is-Something to do-Someone to love-Something to look foward to  If you're happy, then you're successful.

Yerdaddy

03-10-2007, 03:57 AM

<img src="http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2371/1006712xv2.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="666" />That's Ses on the right. The other one's Ulent.

Bob Impact

03-10-2007, 04:09 AM

Everytime I think about success I think about the following quote:"Achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness, not pain or mindless self-indulgence, is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values."That is success.  Follow your Bliss people, follow your bliss.

Reephdweller

03-10-2007, 04:09 AM

Very well said Gvac. I had crazy visions when I was younger that success was a mansion and lots of money, fame,  girls, clothes and other tangible things. Though now success means having good friends, and people I love and who love me in my life. For me it's those things, and to an extent about acheiving small goals and working to be a better person. I say that because I've made my share of mistakes in life that I wish I could go back on to fix. Though I know that I can't so I can only try harder to be better moving foward, and getting there will be a form of success for me as well. Ultimately I think it is what we each define it as.

Ritalin

03-10-2007, 04:21 AM

Gvac, I've been having this same conversation with myself for the past 3 months or so. It's important, because I think that how you define success dictates (consciously or subconsciously) how you go about your day when you wake up every morning. <>I feel lucky. I'm 41 years old, and I get paid to be creative every day. I do well, but I'm not rich. But I'm learning every day, I wake up and think about how I can change for the better, and I'm happy with all of those things.<>Family, health, houses, cars? Those are defintely all important, and I think having that is part of the balance, but if you're not happy with what you're spending the majority of your life doing, or you can't enjoy what your work allows you to do (ie your job sucks, but you make plenty of money to do other things so it's ok), then it would be hard to call that success, to me.<>

Bulldogcakes

03-10-2007, 04:24 AM

Oh, and blowjobs are a great way of keeping score as well.

lleeder

03-10-2007, 06:15 AM

Death Metal Moe

03-10-2007, 06:32 AM

Gvac wrote: One thing I've learned in my relatively short time on this planet is that our definition of the word "success" changes over time.  In my younger days I yearned for stardom and riches, which I guess is a fairly common goal for those bursting with youthful exuberance and naivete.  As I've gotten older, though, these things seem increasingly trivial and downright undesirable.  At this stage of my life, I define success as living honestly and contently, being at peace with yourself and the world around you.  Forging close relationships and enjoying your time away from work are the truly important things, not how much money you have in the bank or how big of a house you own.  I'm sure some of you have very different ideas.How do you define success? Very well put.  It's taken my a lot of time to understand things like this, and we're learning all the time.  Right now I would define success as being happy with what you have.  Like others have said, it's basic happiness.  Getting past the bullshit in your youth and being happy with yourself and your life.

Rockvillejoe

03-10-2007, 07:45 AM

a credo i have embraced since high school and something i endlessly strive for in this forum:Success:  To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.  This is to have succeeded!  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

FUNKMAN

03-10-2007, 07:55 AM

What Is Success? Life is full of successes and failures almost on a daily basis. The ultimate success i guess would be to remain alive as long as possible.  Maybe next to that as a parent I believe the greatest success is creating another human being and taking care and nurturing that human being as they grow to be adults.

Gvac

03-10-2007, 08:06 AM

Don Stugots wrote: just another thought: i also feel that if i was at peace with everything that i would lose a part of myself. i have been told to take pills to make myself feel better but i always feel that if i take something that will take the edge off i will not be me anymore. how? one way is i think i would lose my phunny. humor for me comes from the dark places in my mind and heart. it takes my rage to comeout with alot of the things that i say or post. if i lose that, then what? Stugs by brother, I think a lot of people (yourself included) have a huge misconception when it comes to anit-depressants and other types of meds.  They're a means to an end, not an end in itself. You don't want to become dependent on them; you want them to stabilize you enough so you can think clearly and begin understanding your mind and yourself.  Once your mood swings and fits of rage subside and you're able to think things through, you begin to wean yourself off of them.  Then you can truly begin to take control of yourself and your place in this world.

reillyluck

03-10-2007, 08:19 AM

the meaning of success for me is being where i want to be.  this does not mean money or power.  Most people on this board do not know the many obsticles in my life where i had to struggle.  I came from having a little, to absolutely nothing.  I took care of myself since i was 14 yrs old.  the only thing i wanted in life was a stable home and a family to love me. The friends that i have are truly the family ive always wanted.  if you read the about me section in my myspace page you will understand.  "its not the blood that runs through your veins, its about the people that love you the most".  I live by this saying. You can be the person who blames everything and everyone in their life for their misfortunes or you can be the person who accepts their life and moves on and works at it to make it better.  I made it better.  therefore, I AM a success.

Justice4all

03-10-2007, 08:38 AM

Gvac wrote: One thing I've learned in my relatively short time on this planet is that our definition of the word "success" changes over time.  In my younger days I yearned for stardom and riches, which I guess is a fairly common goal for those bursting with youthful exuberance and naivete.  As I've gotten older, though, these things seem increasingly trivial and downright undesirable.  At this stage of my life, I define success as living honestly and contently, being at peace with yourself and the world around you.  Forging close relationships and enjoying your time away from work are the truly important things, not how much money you have in the bank or how big of a house you own.  I'm sure some of you have very different ideas.How do you define success? Gvac my friend, I could not agree with you more. You took the words right out of my mouth. I think that is a very wise and well defined version of what success really is.

Justice4all

03-10-2007, 10:48 AM

jamesdiggy wrote: <dt class="quote"></dt><dt class="quote">"What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." - Bob Dylan</dt>HOLY SHIT!!! A JAMES DIGGY SIGHTING!Where the fuck have you been man????? Good to see you posting again.

bobrobot

03-10-2007, 11:13 AM

What Is Success?being excited to live lifehaving cherished friendship(s)anal sex, no bleeding

Doctor Z

03-10-2007, 11:35 AM

ralphbxny

03-10-2007, 01:32 PM

When I figure it out...I will let you know.

hedges

03-11-2007, 02:32 PM

Respect and love for family and friends... Peace of mind...

cougarjake13

03-11-2007, 02:40 PM

Discussion Topic: What Is Success? the opposite of failure

Crispy123

03-11-2007, 02:46 PM

contributing something to the world around you that is meaningful

Friday

03-11-2007, 04:18 PM

Knowing that your existence has touched just one persons life in a meaningful way...Finding the happy ... wherever it may be.

badorties

03-11-2007, 07:57 PM

Fallon wrote: Happiness. coupled with peace of mind

Friday

03-11-2007, 08:01 PM

badorties wrote: Fallon wrote: Happiness. coupled with peace of mind ... and a silly mexican    lol (sorry... it had to be done)

A.J.

03-12-2007, 04:17 AM

Being able to afford food, shelter and clothing without worry.What can I say?  I'm low maintenance.

Golfman

03-13-2007, 06:37 AM

Having the ability to step back from life, and for a moment, smile genuinely with family and friends.  Having the ability to realize that I know nothing and can control nothing.  It is also having enough cash to buy an XM radio and listen to the buddays!!!!!!