Thu 24 Sep 2009
The Sign posts for Success
Posted by Amanda under Musings
[5] Comments
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Someone called me last night to talk about speaking to homeschooling parents. This is not the first time I’ve been asked to be a poster-child for homeschoolers. I was homeschooled from grades 3-12. I often wonder, what categorizes as Successful. What do these parents want to see when they ask me to speak? Do they want to hear of my further education, which is sparse, or do they want to hear about how much money I earn, which is unremarkable, or do they want me to tell about my happiness, my whole-ness, my complete-ness in my person because of my homeschooling experience.
If I were a parent, how would I want my children to turn out? Happy? Able to love themselves and be a functioning pat of society? How about, enjoying life?
I have usually viewed success as having a good career, that is making money enough to live comfortably, to travel where you want to, to buy what you want. I view success as having the money and prestige to do what you want to do.
In that definition, I am not a poster-child for success. But if we change the definition slightly. If “Successful” is being happy, making good life decisions, and being healthy, then I have the corner on the market.
Success–noun
| 1. | the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors. |
| 2. | the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. |
| 3. | a successful performance or achievement: The play was an instant success. |
| 4. | a person or thing that is successful: She was a great success on the talk show. |
I think that I will take definition #3. I have set myself a goal to love myself and others around me, to pursue contentment and satisfaction, to be kind to the earth and not to damaging. To not consume more than I contribute, to partake in the enjoyment of life.
If those were my goals, then I am successful. Today. In this moment. We’ll see where tomorrow leads. Perhaps tomorrow I will fail but if I can rise up again, undiminished, then is that success too?
Do you view your life, yourself as successful?
September 25th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Do I view myself or my life as successful? I think it’s too early to tell. What I hope to hear is, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Then I’ll be satisfied.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Yes sometimes I feel successful…sometimes like a miserable failure, depends. Overall we will see… if my kids all join me in heaven someday I will say that yes my life was a smashing success! Kim
September 26th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Didn’t we talk a bit about homeschooling while I was visiting you? I don’t remember if it made its way into our animated conversations with that friend of yours who came over…
Personally I view success as “self-actualization.” Not everyone is supposed to have money, and not everyone is even supposed to be educated. But if you are able to grow up, set your eyes on a life you want, a vision not determined by oppressive and repressive factors in your past/present, and live that life in a meaningful and contributory manner, then I’d say you are successful.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Self actualization as defined as achieving the goals that you set out to accomplish?
Interesting.
September 27th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
As a teacher in a public school system often I find myself being more concerned about the child’s ability to problem solve, socialize well with others, and to help others. I guess again it is all about balance and being a well rounded person, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.