Success. Just a word, right? But it feels like so much more - a life goal, a measurement, a finish line that’s different for everyone. The truth is, success is a mosaic. It has a different shade, a different texture for each person. The problem is, we’re often made to believe that it’s a one-size-fits-all, neatly tied to wealth, fame, or power. But is that all there is to it?
For some, success is a big house, a sleek car, a prestigious job. It’s easy to see why this idea of success sticks. It's glamorized by society. From flashy social media posts to the stories we hear growing up, wealth and material possessions are often portrayed as the ultimate symbol of having 'made it.' But if you ask the woman selling vegetables by the roadside, her idea of success might be making enough money to send her kids to school. To her, success is not a skyscraper with her name on it; it’s the hope that her children can dream bigger than she ever could.
For others, success is recognition. It's the applause after a performance, the likes on a post, the approval of peers. For an artist struggling with self-doubt, a few words of appreciation might feel like touching the stars. For the introvert in a crowded room, success is speaking up without the fear of judgment. These moments of courage, fleeting as they may seem to others, hold the weight of personal triumphs.
There’s a quieter, less visible kind of success too - the one we often overlook. It's the mother waking up before dawn to prepare her family’s meals, the father working two jobs to make ends meet, or the student who battles anxiety every day but still shows up. These people might never make headlines, but success for them is resilience. It’s the simple act of getting through the day, knowing they gave it their all.
For young people, especially in India, the idea of success is often linked to academic performance. The pressure to land a government job, to crack that competitive exam, can feel like the only definition of success. But what if you’re someone who’s passionate about art, sports, or social work? Does success still lie in that government job? Or does it find a new shape when you’re doing what you love, even if it’s off the beaten path?
And then there’s the spiritual shade of success. Some people look inward, not outward, for their sense of accomplishment. They measure their success by how at peace they are with themselves, how much they’ve grown emotionally, or how deeply they’ve connected with others. For them, success isn’t about ‘winning’ or ‘achieving’; it’s about being content with who they are.
Success, then, is deeply personal. It's not something that can be universally defined by society, nor is it static. What success means to you at 20 might be completely different at 40. And that’s okay. Success evolves, just like we do. It’s not about how others perceive your achievements; it’s about what brings you fulfillment, joy, and peace.
In a world that’s constantly measuring us against a checklist, it’s easy to lose sight of what success really means. But maybe, just maybe, success is waking up each day with a sense of purpose, no matter how small or big. Maybe success is finding joy in the journey, not just the destination. Because at the end of the day, success is not a competition. It’s a deeply personal journey, and every shade of it is valid.
Wishing you to have a great day.
Thank you :)