Success Is Not the Same As Living a Good Life
What is your measure of a good life?
For a long time, I equated success to a good life.
I couldn’t have been more wrong!
I was chasing one thing after the other…
And it worked for some time…..until it stopped working.
I would feel successful and have a sense of accomplishment — momentarily!
Until the chase for the next one began.
These days or let’s say after I turned 40, I seem to have gained some wisdom :)
I am calm
I am relaxed
I am generally content with my life
I am content with the materialistic side of things
I am content with the nonmaterialistic side of things
I still don’t have the best job or the best house or the best car, but I do have a decent job, a decent house and a small car.
That got me thinking…
Is this the definition of success or have I become less ambitious or is this what a good life looks and feels like?
I came to the conclusion that this is my measure of good life.
As I reflect on my journey, I realize that success and a good life are not interchangeable concepts.
Success often revolves around external markers — the job title, the size of your house, the make of your car.
It’s measured by society’s standards and often leaves us perpetually striving for more.
But a good life?
That’s something deeper, more personal.
It’s about finding fulfillment and meaning in everyday moments, regardless of external achievements.
It’s about cultivating relationships, nurturing passions, and being present in the here and now.
For me, a good life is about balance.
It’s about finding harmony between work and play, between ambition and contentment.
It’s about recognizing that true wealth lies not in possessions, but in experiences shared and memories made.
In our quest for success, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters.
We chase after promotions, bigger paychecks, and fancier cars, believing they’ll bring us happiness.
But more often than not, they leave us feeling empty, yearning for something more.
It takes courage to redefine success, to chart a different course in pursuit of a good life.
It requires us to challenge societal norms and listen to the whispers of our own hearts.
But the rewards are immeasurable — a life filled with purpose, joy, and deep-seated contentment.
So, what is your measure of a good life?
Perhaps it’s time to look beyond the trappings of success and rediscover the simple pleasures that make life truly meaningful.
After all, success may bring fleeting moments of satisfaction, but a good life?
That’s something worth cherishing every single day.
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