Define: Success

     There are many successful people in the world. In fact, I'm thinking about one. I start to imagine a man in a black blazer with a red tie tied under his collar. His well-polished shoes are glistening right under his pants. In his hand is a briefcase containing a Macbook and important papers. He just got out of his Bentley, walking towards a high building where he spends most of his days and earns his reputation, distinction, eminence, whatsoever. Well, most importantly, money. 

     Then there is this man, riding a used motorcycle he just bought by getting a loan from a bank. He wears a casual outfit, a plain-white t-shirt and black trousers. Behind him is his eight-year-old son dressed in white and red uniform, ready to go to school. 

     As the first man enters the tight secured building, the second man passes by. Of course, when we see it in a blink of an eye, the scene obviously shows two very different lives. Living in the exact same city, but feels like in a different sphere of existence. Definitely, the first man is the successful person everyone wants to grow up to be. 

But ever try to take a second glance? 

     I wonder what actually goes on behind door. I imagine the first man, despite all of his wealth and luxury, lives all by himself. No family left, no close friends who are always there to help, no wife or children. (okay this is too pathetic). Let's just imagine that he is so busy that he has no family-time. Waking up at dawn, coming home at midnight, working 7 days a week. Imagine he doesn't even have a time to laugh, or even worse, completely forgets his spiritual life. While the second man, despite his mediocre life, is a fully happy elementary school teacher who always spares his time to teach his own children in the evening and take his family on a vacation not far from the hometown. A reputable man in his neighborhood for his kindness and generosity. When you realize all of these things, will the facade of the first man's wealth's still count as an epitome of success?

How do we define success anyway? 

     I remember this is the question the judges asked me in the third phase of AFS selection. Is it all about having a lot of money or fame? Is it about the long list of achievements in our CV? I myself don't actually know how to define it. To me, people who can live by themselves without constantly asking for others' help are successful. To me, people who can balance their mundane and spiritual life are successful. To me, people who are happy living their current life are successful. Maybe not successful in career, but successful in having a control over themselves, being grateful for whatever God has given them and what they are destined to be.

     Well, success can mean different things to different people. And the pursuit of success can be done in a lot of different ways too. My late English teacher, for example. She was not as rich as the first man that we talked about. She didn't work in a prestigious company, moreover own a Bentley. She was just a woman who dedicated her life, even until she died at the age of around 82, teaching English. Some of her students are now abroad, studying and working. Seeing the positive impacts her work have upon the lives of others, she, to me, has been successful.

     There is no right or wrong in defining success. It is a very subjective thing that we usually argue about in vain. One thing that we should know is that people have their own way to be successful. We are successful not because people think we are, but because we believe we are. People are different, and there will always be some who don't have the same opinion with ours. Just do whatever you heart thinks is right, and you will be successful in your own way. 

"Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile" - anonymous 

So, how successful are you?