If I am to give the true meaning of success, I would honestly say that true success should include a complete package of happiness, fulfillment, contentment, peace, and comfort plus a family, friends, career and money. I used to think that success is just having everything that one wants in life such as a nice car, a beautiful house, a booming business or career, and all the material things that one could possibly have. When I grew older, everything changed and I looked at success as happiness and the feeling of contentment and peace.

I am right after all because I had an experience with one of my acquaintances that proved I was right. In one of the many ball room dances that I had attended I bumped one of the rich ladies that I had known in the place where I worked. I sat down beside her and asked how she was. She gave me a wan smile that said it all to me. She was not what she used to be when I first saw her. I smiled and said with casualty not meaning to hurt her feelings, "What could a woman with everything possibly want in life?" She looked at me but didn't say anything. I looked at her silently assessing everything about her. She was wearing the most beautiful gown inside that ballroom, with diamond studded gold ring and a wide gold bracelet. Her ears were adorned with glittering earrings. She was beautiful as she was rich. She looked at me and said, "You know, I envy you."

I was shocked. What could she possibly envy on me who is just a simple lady living a very simple life? I laughed and told her she was just joking but she shook her head. She said she envied how I laughed so loudly. She envied my simple life. I learned that she was having problems with her husband who has a mistress. She was not happy with what she has. She is unfulfilled even with all her wealth that people around her envy.

Success does not mean only wealth and luxury in life. Real success is happiness. People could buy everything with their wealth but never happiness, contentment and peace. I could almost boast of how I look at success. The simple way of looking at life makes one achieve easier true success. Never mind if there is just little money in the pocket and never mind if one cannot taste the luxury that life provides just being happy and content is what I call real success.

When I look at people who are happy with their family and have many friends, I look at them as very successful people. What is wealth without happiness and what is a career without friends? The true meaning of success is being happy and having a harmonious life. Without happiness, even the wealthiest person in this world cannot be considered successful.

Learn more about this author, Felisa Daskeo.
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