What is Success?

In my readings, and in my own experience being an adult, I found a lot of intricacies on the article about success. But what struck me most are the ten (10) quotes that each, in my opinion, gives a key insight into what success really means.

Doing What You Love

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

Following Your Own Path

A successful life is one that is lived through understanding and pursuing one’s own path, not chasing after the dreams of others. - Chin-Ning Chu

Living Each Moment

Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed. - Corita Kent

Overcoming Obstacles

Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds. - Charles Lindbergh

Treating People Well

Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people — your family, friends, and co-workers, and even strangers you meet along the way. - Barbara Bush

Excelling in Multiple Areas of Your Life

I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles. - Zig Ziglar

Doing Your Best

The man who has done his level best, and who is conscious that he has done his best, is a success, even though the world may write him down as a failure. - B.C. Forbes

Seeking and Finding Love

The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration. - Pearl S. Buck

Leaving the World a Better Place

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. - Albert Pike

Success is Many Things

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. - Bessie Stanley

Does one of the above quotes hold a special significance to you?

In your opinion, are these the only important ingredients in attaining success?

Surviving the Lesson Called Life

Life is a long trudge to strive for the three most cherished assets one could possibly attain during one's lifetime - success, happiness and love.

It is a struggle which all of us have to endure and also a challenge that everyone faces one way or another.  

Life is certainly not a bed of roses. It has its ups and downs. Hence very often we falter and during distressful times, very often we just feel like saying "I give up.....".  

But to give up would be foolish, for winners never quit and quitters never win. So never ever give up when you are weary but just stop for a while, take a break, regain your composure and try once more. In life one has to ascertain one's motive and ultimate goal. Survival in life means to have the will to surmount mountain-high obstructions, ocean-deep afflictions and to expect difficulties and yet force your way through them. 

Remember that success lies within us, in our brains and to look upon our duties and work as opportunity to be seized with joy and to be made the most of. Be like the powerful eagle who does not fear heights but soars above all the smaller birds, gracefully gliding through the blue skies.

In a world of fantasy, the human mind is full of thoughts and imagination. More often than not, we yearn for things beyond our means to enhance existing conditions. These secret desires and dreams that fill our minds sometimes do not materialize.  

The greatest crime one can commit against one's self and humanity is the unwillingness to pay the price of hard labor in honest effort to achieve one's goal. But for those who are willing to make sacrifices and lay down their comforts and pleasures, the day will come when success will be entirely theirs - when all the struggle is no more than just miles and miles of happiness, much longer than the initial struggle.

To reach the pinnacle of one's life brings a personal sense of satisfaction and inner fulfillment.

Life, in short, is striving for excellence, a desire which is synonymous in every human-being; irrespective of color or creed. However, only those of strong willpower, determination and courage undoubtedly stand a better chance of realizing their purpose for living. 

But for those of weaker character, life is only a losing battle no matter what. So live and learn. Living is an experience and till the end of our days, life is a lesson imperfectly learned.

My Philosophy in Life

In General, my philosophy in  life comprises of, in great part, the following ideals as goals: 

1. To believe in God with all humility. To worship Him is the very purpose of my life existence.
2. To bring joy and happiness as a symbol of love and kindness– that love begets love and kindness begets kindness.
3. To live life with integrity and do things that has positive effects on others.
4. To start each day with freshness and love in my heart and to have the energy to spread that enthusiasm.
5. To each day improve my ethic of character to be more tolerant, cooperative, compassionate, obliging, amiable, loyal, decisive, responsible, punctual, honest, valiant, generous, and just.
6. To persevere in living my ideals.
7. To aid the needy people and improve a declining environment.
8. To share my knowledge without prejudice to anyone by giving them the best of my capacities and aptitudes and give more than what people expect.

Regarding Family

My family has absolute priority in my life. Being an OFW and far away from them, I should instill in their hearts that my sacrifices signify love, comfort, and happiness. 

Regarding Relationships / Marriage

I should keep my family intact by being faithful and trustworthy to them.

Regarding Time 

Time is of the essence.  I need to value time as if it is the last day of my life.  I don't want to waste time hoping for better times in an undefined future, but instead enjoy the everyday journey of living.

Regarding Health  

Health is wealth.  By being healthy I can surpass any trials and tribulations without difficulty.  With good health, my physical state of mind  would carry me to a positive way of life.