What is Success?

All through high school, I was asked this open-ended question, “What is the definition of success?” I have spent the last 10 years contemplating this question. Over and over again, in different times of life, my answer has changed. Never has my answer felt complete though. I’ve always thought, “That’s a stupid question... Success shouldn’t have a definition because that means that it is the same for 99% of humanity.” Since humanity is so unique and driven by different things, how is one definition even possible?"

So alas, the other night I found my answer. Yes, I said MY answer. My success may not be your success, but never the less, my success feels like success. Wrap your head around that. As I sat at a bar in New York City with two strangers, turned friends, my life has been changed and changed for the better.

My definition of success is NOT striving for success. Therefore, I will become or be successful as soon as I realize that there isn’t this overarching goal in my life to be something, do something, feel a certain way, or even inspire others. Success in my life will be to enjoy the journey that I’m on without striving for more. I don’t want my life to revolve around the next accomplishment or destination, but I want to be present in every situation – feeling alive, smelling the flowers, breathing the fresh air, and so on.

The stranger beside me in New York was a French man who was in town for business. Us two American girls sat beside him discussing our goals and dreams for our future, and he stared in slight bewilderment. Finally, he chimed in that none of what we were expressing was something that French people contemplate. No one discusses the meaning of life or what we need to do. They just enjoy where they are at. When they develop a dream or a goal, they just go after it without the thought of how they will feel successful when they accomplish it. Success isn’t the goal. The goal is to have a good life - not to move mountains or change the world. Those things are great if they do happen, but they are not the final destination.

Now for me, everything I just said, I have/had a rebuttal to. Like, “Doesn’t God want us to change the world by making fishers of men?” or “How will we continue to be innovative if we “settle” for where we are now?” Those thoughts have sent me in the uphill battle of striving to do enough, which has ultimately left me exhausted, frustrated, and prideful. If I would just choose to live in the moment and act on thoughts as they are inspired by God, I would only be able to give God the glory for any accomplishment I have. He would get ALL of the glory, and that is the success.

I pray you find your own definition of success, and that it leaves you full, excited, and feeling obedient.