Recognizing Success (9/18/14)
My friend got back from a funeral in Georgia where he served as a pallbearer. When I listened to some of the stories my friend shared when he got back I thought about why I chose to embark on my book tour.
The family of the deceased had to book the biggest Methodist Church in Atlanta because of the size of the anticipated turnout. When the motorcade arrived at the cemetery, the four police motorcycle officers escorting the processional sped ahead, created an aisle, dismounted and saluted a man the officers had never even met. This was a tribute to the life of a great man.
At some point in your life someone has more than likely asked you how you wanted to be remembered. I could do without the theatrics that came with this funeral, the underlying fundamentals of the funeral are what I’m looking for.
This was a man who was celebrated by hundreds of people upon his passing because of the positive contributions he made to their lives while he was alive. He made a difference in the lives of the people he came into contact with. This event on the last week of June is a hallmark of success. It’s not a question of how much you collect, what your title is, or well known you are. Success is based on the contribution you make, the lives you touch, and how you are remembered.
It might take experiencing a life or death moment to fully appreciate what success really is, or you might be lucky enough to innately know what genuine success is. I think we have posterized fast cars, big bill folds, and fame as success for so long that we have lost sight of what success is. Toys and status are rewards for your willingness to work hard, but shouldn’t be confused with success. Success is the legacy left by a teacher that makes sure none of his students fall through the cracks of the education system.
I think we are at a point where we as a society need to recalibrate our success meters. We have spent far to long worshiping in the house of materialism. The results of our belief system are prevalently displayed on the evening news, think Bernie Madoff and carjackings.
I wrote a book and set out on an impossible book tour because I wanted genuine success. I don’t care about the money, and I could do without the notoriety that comes with being a public figure. When I cash in my chips somewhere down the line I want to know that I made a contribution that someone wants to celebrate too; otherwise all the rewards that I might accumulate along the way are truly meaningless.
It’s time to change the status quo. It’s time we pursue genuine success.
