When asked what the definition of success is in 1904. Bessie Anderson Stanley wrote the following:
'He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women and the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.'
She won $250 for this definition of Success!
The thing is, over 100 years later - with all the changes in attitudes, technologies, ways of thinking...Is it not amazing how much this still rings true today?
Would you not feel that you were successful if your achievements amounted to the above? The essence of living life to the fullest, having fun and laughter while you're doing it, and all the while experiencing the love of a life partner, family and your offspring.
Most certainly many would probably add a few dollar signs to the mix to demonstrate their success. However you can see that nothing material was mentioned in Bessie's poem. As fundamentally, no matter how many material things you may have, if you are miserable, without love, and not living your best life, you really have nothing of true worth to your inner being at all, regardless of dollars and cents.
Thus, uphold these three words: 'Live, Laugh, Love', and guaranteed everything else will eventually fall into place!
Live your best life + Laugh and see the brighter side of things + Love with every inch of your being = Success!
Blessings!
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