Yesterday, author/former student/current friend Chris Delyani and I discussed his books, my music, and definitions of success.
Our definitions of success tended more to quality (people being moved by our works) over quantity (numbers). I think Chris and I would agree that both our lives have been a success.
My definitions of success include staying connected with wonderful people and it’s so great to see Chris (whom I taught at Boston University in the 1980s) make such a success of his life.
Do you see definitions of success in my images for today?
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Here’s what I find when I search for “definitions of success” on YouTube:
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I know that this definition of success from Paris is Burning had a huge impact on my successful friend Chris:
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Thanks to all those who are here for this definitions-of-success blog post, including YOU!
What is success? That is a question I have struggled with since I was a kid. On my mother’s side, my uncles, aunts and cousins all became teachers at various levels, from grade school to university. At one point, during one of my more pleasurable experiences with my father, I said I thought about being a teacher but I worried about what if one of my students failed. The greatest advice my father ever gave me was in response to this concern. He said ” As long as you do your best and can look at the person in the mirror and know that he did his best, you will be a success”.
I did not become a teacher, per se. I am a father and was a coach of youth sports. Yes there were times when I knew the man in the mirror did not do his best. My son reminds me that I did not always bring my A Game. But I learned from that and got better. I now look in the mirror and know that I am out here doing my best. And that’s okay.
That is success.
I agree with you, Successful Stan.
my success is waking up each day again, living to see how the day will unfold
That is a very successful definition, beth.
hugs Anne! 🙂 happy Wednesday! 💜💜
Thank you, Carol Anne!💕
Today’s success will be calling my friend Brandon, in Port Orchard, WA, to ask if it’s okay that I give his telephone number to our mutual friend Harpo in Detroit. Actually, you might say that even having relocated to the middle of the country, I am still in the middle of my Seattle community, the one everyone calls when they want to contact one another. I’m the one with all the phone numbers. LOL!
Today’s success will be calling my friend Brandon, in Port Orchard, WA, to ask if it’s okay that I give his telephone number to our mutual friend Harpo in Detroit. Actually, you might say that even having relocated to the middle of the country, I am still in the middle of my Seattle community, the one everyone calls when they want to contact one another. I’m the one with all the phone numbers. LOL!
Barbara Stoner
http://www.barbarasbookhouse.com http://www.barbarasbookhouse.com
I’m glad we have had success in reinstating your comments on this blog, Barbara.
Samuel Johnson said, “One must turn over half a library to write one book” and it’s a sign of success that Chris has written several.
For my own definition of success at least part of it would be to be remembered well, to be remembered as someone who tried and helped. I should come up with my own words but I think of Patrick Kavanagh’s “If Ever You Go To Dublin Town”:
On Pembroke Road look out for my ghost,
Dishevelled with shoes untied,
Playing through the railings with little children
Whose children have long since died.
Thank you for another successful comment, Chris.