Success

I dreamed of being a singer, I fantasized of fleeing bad guys, overpowering them with my mighty stature and bringing them to justice. I even contemplated being a doctor once, healing the weak and wary with my only my brains to guide me. But the reality is I am none of those things. Those fleeting thoughts that once drifted through my imagination have long been buried, forgotten and washed over by moments of impulse and self gratification. I didn't educate myself with the discipline those objectives would require, but I did amass a wealth of unconventional wisdom and insight despite my self prophecies disintegrating before me.

How does one measure their own success? Is it the size of their car or the number of zeros depicting their wealth? Our culture has a funny way of measuring up to everyone else. Have you ever seen a man with a huge mansion and a fleet of luxury cars? I bet you thought to yourself how successful and lucky he must be. Jealousy sets in and we kick ourselves for not buying more lottery tickets.

I ponder at what cost did this man endure to set himself up as the icon of wealth. Did he toil for years at work, missing the most precious moments of his life? I can imagine this man always trying to one up himself, sacrificing his own hopes and dreams so others can live vicariously through his prized possessions. In the end, it is moot. He will never be remembered for his long office hours and aging complexion, his suffering ending with the same tombstone as everyone else.

I once read a story about a man who sailed for 14 years of his life, circling the globe bobbling through the waves on a tiny boat, his only defense from the angry seas. This man caught his own meals, used his own brains and brawns and wrote a wonderful diary on his adventures. I read about the moments he nearly faced death, writing goodbye letters to his loved ones and offering his insights one last time. He inspired me. That's greatness.

Maybe we should all ask ourselves often, 'What are we aiming for, success or greatness?' It looks to me like a lifetime of success adds up to early inactivity, selfishness, and too much stuff. While a lifetime of greatness results in legends.