Success!

Just stuck my mind – the definition of Success which I almost got by rote during childhood to address the public, iff I ever got a chance! And I did.

Read these lines when I was a kid in a monthly/fortnightly magazine called “Wisdom”. Although, that very issue of Wisdom isn’t with me but I am so fortunate to be living in this ubiquitous world of Internet! Anything is searchable and retrievable!

The most inspiring lines to me since then were  “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived” which have always instigated me to work and feel the empathy for the deprived/destitute. I may not be truly dedicated in a total eradication or upliftment but I believe,  I could, as an individual who’s much better off than most people on earth, make a little contribution and make sure at least  ‘one life has breathed easier because I have lived’ in this world!!!

Here go the lines:

SUCCESS

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.

~~~~~by Ralph Waldo Emerson