These days I think a lot about my life, what I have done, how I have done it, and what I have yet to do. The word success comes to mind as my ego struggles to come to terms with a life in which I am currently undefined by work or social status. Does ‘open-minded ex-pat from NYC’ count?
Success is defined as: the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted. By definition I consider myself successful, having desired a career in advertising, planned a trip around the world, and attempted love. All of which I have achieved. The latter of which I consider the most important and most difficult to succeed in. (Perhaps why such an emphasis is placed on career, it’s much more manageable than matters of the heart.)
Why then am I struggling with the destination, the who and what I will be in the context of this new life, when it’s in fact the journey that causes us to become, and eventually to succeed. As I have become before and will become again. Can I not revel in the role of a girl in love staring at the sky? It just happens to be a sky I am not accustomed to, above a world lacking definitions. Perhaps I have become programmed after so many years of over-stimulation and professional endeavors in a society where success has no limits and is often measured monetarily. It was much more about the doing than the being. I tended not to agree with this mentality but I was indeed a part of it.
Along the way, did I lose sight of the simple pleasures in self-discovery? In the fulfillment of personal achievements that are exclusive of the ego? Of what, and more importantly who, is truly significant in life? Now, as it’s presented to me every morning in the form of a smiling face and anticipatory eyes, I understand that this, by all accounts, is the truest measure of success. Achievement in it’s most pure, simple and gratifying form, love. The journey has only just begun.
Lovely piece! The question of what success is and what it means to me is one I often ponder on. I think it is a natural extension of the question “What is happiness?”… and love has a lot fo do with happiness!
Thanks Kim. Indeed love leads to happiness which leads to success. At least this should be the order of things. It’s the lucky few who realize what comes first in life! And what success truly means.
Last Fall I went through the exact same existential kind of self-reflexivity. Why should we be defined by our professions though? It feels like that is crucial to our identity when we have a solid profession, but what if we don’t?
One day at a time, do what makes you happy. You’ll find your place and success will follow!
Yes, I agree with you. We should not be defined by what we do professionally but by who we are personally, that is our true essence. Feeling fulfilled on a daily basis is the key, thus success is attained through the path of happiness. Lentement et certainement!
Beautiful reflective piece Kasia. You have found the BE in To Be or Not To Be.
Merci ma chérie! It’s all about the being.
I thought, when I gradutated from university, that I was on the fast track to success.
I thought, after my 3rd year of living in France and seeing all of my old alumni friends now with 3 years of relevant working experience and business cards with their names on them, that success was slipping away.
I thought, when I landed a job offer for a top 5 corporation doing the job of my dreams, I had finally found my day success.
I thought, when I lost said job of my dreams because of a biased psychologist, that all my waiting and sacrifice for postponed success had been forever lost, as now I am technically unhirable compared to the younger grads.
I thought, when I changed my status to “undefined by work or social status”, that I have never been happier and felt more free in my life – an achievement neither “desired, planned, nor attempted.”
Your post makes sense.
Thanks for your insights which so many people can relate to. You thought the way we are programmed to think. Until the truth revealed itself to you. May we continue to live as “undefined” and happy.
I was just having this conversation with a girlfriend. Success is 100% self-defined, don’t ever let anyone define it for you. I can totally see that on the path to finding success you totally can lose site of the little things.
I agree with you 100%. After all, it’s the little things that create the greatest happiness. And happiness = success.
[…] of Love in the City of Lights continued that process in her own musings on “the journey of success.” It’s really important to remember that we define our own success, that it is not up […]
[…] of Love in the City of Lights continued that process in her own musings on “the journey of success.” It’s really important to remember that we define our own success, that it is not up […]