Destination: ?

How do you define success in life?

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Oddly, if you went out and asked twelve people, you’d get twenty-four different answers.

But usually, it would involve, lots of money, a nice house, fancy car and so on, and so forth and probably end being Time’s man or woman of the year.

OK.

But is that success?

When I think of success, I always remember a scene from an old episode of the Walton’s. The school John Walton went to is having a reunion. He was voted to be the one most likely to succeed. 

And everyone else went off and set the world on fire. One’s a lawyer. Another a banker. One is in politics. One of the girls is a highly sought after and respected actress.

John Walton stayed on Walton’s Mountain, raised a family, and ran a sawmill.

And he felt small compared to his classmates.

But at the reunion, he made an interesting discovery. He had exactly what they all wanted.

He had the peace of the mountains.

And he had the love of his family.

As far as they were concerned, John had succeeded.

John was happy.

And that’s pretty much been the way I look at success.

Oh, I’d love to sell a million dollars a month in books. Have Hollywood directors knocking on my door to seek permission to turn them into movies. And have newspaper articles saying how cool I am.

Truth be told, how many people have had their live destroyed by that definition of success.

But right now, I’m working as a Court Protective Services Officer. I’m not making a million dollars a year. I’m not even making what I made when I worked IT.

But I am making a difference. I’m a smiling face when people need a smile. I’m the guy who helps them get the resources they need. And I make sure they’re seen. 

And I come home to my beautiful bride and a puppy dog who both love me.

And I’ve learned to lean on God who makes a way when I don’t see one.

At the end of the day, it’s this simple. did your success make your happy? 

Are you still looking for that thing that will make you happy.

And if you’re not happy, maybe you need to redefine the word success.

It’s not a goal after all.

It’s a destination.