DailyBlog : Who Do You Think Of When You Think Of ‘Success’

** The first three books in my six-part dystopian series have officially made their way out into the world! Check them out!
For the sake of blogging, self-exploration, and contemplation, I’ve been slowly making my way through answering questions from this list

Today’s Question: Who do you think of first when you think of ‘success?’

This question stumped me at first because no one in particular rushed to my mind. After a few moments, maybe someone like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates because they’re incredibly rich, but that’s just superficial.

It’s always bothered me when someone lives a reserved life and they don’t do anything “special” and society views them as expendable, or even as ‘losers.’ I don’t care where you work or what you do, in my opinion, you’re successful if you’re caring for yourself. You’re successful if you’re working a job — ANY job — and paying your own rent or mortgage, especially in a society where minimum wage isn’t anywhere close to actual minimum cost of living, so supporting yourself is not anywhere near as easy as it used to be. However, let’s put money aside and examine this even more honestly.

Success is just contentment. Success is having the things you want in life, and being at peace with yourself, and the life you’ve chosen to lead. You’re successful if you get up every morning and you don’t dread having to go to work.

When I sit back and consider the word, I realize how subjective it truly is. Success is 100% opinion and 0% fact because everyone has different values and views. I’m not rich, but I make enough money to support myself, my pets, and my horse without feeling stressed at all about money or bills. I enjoy my job and I have a great group of friends. I consider myself successful. Other people may look at my life and choices and have a different opinion because I’m not rich, and I’ve chosen not to marry or have human children and we live in a sexist society where woman are often ‘expected’ to do these things and ‘what’s wrong with you’ if you choose differently. (However, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of my life and choices, it only matters how I see myself.)

My advice? Don’t compare yourself to anyone else when you strive to be successful. Only strive for your own personal goals and passions and only competition should be within yourself; comparing where you are now from where you want to be and then figuring out what you need to do to achieve your own success.