Prime
True success
Boom! Two boys running at top speed banged their small bodies on the metal fence surrounding the school compound. As I grappled with the shock they were off again. Pulling at each other’s shirts and sweating profusely. One fell down and the other fell on top of him in a heap. They continued to pull at each other.
They were ok. No crying, no frustration.
I grew up among brothers but several years later I am still not accustomed to boys’ rough play.
Somewhere in the lunch area, I observed another group of about six seated across one table and doing their homework. I admired this particular lot. They seemed very serious and focused.
In a corner away from the group, a girl was deeply engrossed in a book. While other two boys each seating separately seemed to be working on an art project.
I stood near the gate taking in the whole picture as I waited for my son and his friends with whom we carpool for school pick and drop. Then I remembered my days at school.
I was not one of those who sat nicely in the lunch area to finish homework. Funny I was a very organised person but a significantly disorganized student.
I was never able to sit in a library just to catch up with work. I always seemed to work only and only under pressure. Isn’t it funny I managed good grades although I can confidently tell you I only studied to pass exams? But see where we are now!
Of course some of the academic giants of my day seem to be quite successful but then again what is success?
Recently someone said to be successful is to be able to positively change lives permanently. That struck home. What a responsibility. Not to simply influence but to influence permanently.
This removes the notion that success can or should be measured basing on material acquisitions.
And yet back then it was drummed in our heads to get good grades so that we would get good jobs and thereby bring to ourselves all the material things we lacked growing up.
Is success the ability to comfortably look after oneself and one’s loved ones? Money and material things are important. I hear people say it is better to be sad in a Mercedes than to be happy on a bicycle.
Maybe, maybe not. Life has taught me that though important, material things have an end. A big warm bedspread is comfortable and enjoyable but you better have the sleep to enjoy it. Having the appetite is as important as having the meal available.
May God help us to be truly successful.
