Thursday, October 6, 2011

Success of a Man

When success is achieved, it usually comes with the price of defeat. In order to truly know the feeling of success, one must first go through a series of difficulties and failures, only to make them understand the sweet joy that comes with success. With failure, we as human beings are able to recognize the pain and sorrow that come along with it which makes us strive to further better ourselves in order to avoid the feeling of failure in the future. When one thinks success, a number of definitions may cross the mind. To some, success means being rich and living a life of luxury. However, to some people, success is being surrounded by loved ones and doing what makes you happy.
The true definition of success in my opinion is living a life that is filled with a plethora of happiness and joy and doing what you love, regardless of the material things in which one has. Growing up, I lived a life that was filled with careless joy. Running through the yard on a hot summer’s day I was able to make do with what he had. I was never a kid who thought about what we didn’t have, rather a kid who was relieved and blessed for having what we did have. With a roof over my head at all times, I was able to feel safe and secure throughout my childhood. I look back today and realize just how lucky I was. With people living on the streets, desperately in search for a job, or a meal, I understand the importance of being able to sleep in my own bed at night with a roof over my head, and a house full of people that love me right down the hall. As a young child, I looked around and noticed the unfair circumstances that surrounded me. I would go to school and listen to all of my friends bask in the glory of getting that new expensive item that was just ‘to die for’; and as I sat and watched I could not help but feel disappointed and ashamed. I look back now and reflect on the past, thinking of how ridiculous it was to be ashamed of my childhood. So what my parents didn’t get me everything I wanted, they got me everything I needed and still do to this day and for that I am forever grateful.    
                Looking back today, I realize that my childhood is what made me the young adult I am today. My views and opinion on success are based off of my childhood, making me understand that just because one does not have a lot of money does not mean they are not successful. Success is measured in whatever way one feels necessary. As a maturing young adult, I use my past in order to focus on my future. I did not have a lot as a child, yet I was a still a little boy full of joy. My parents made sure that I lived a happy life as a child because it was those years that would shape and mould my beliefs and opinions for the future. I reflect on the past and look at myself in the mirror today and realize, that no matter my economical circumstances and no matter my lifestyle, my life is my life and my opinions are my own. I am who I am and I am proud of that fact. I am successful. 

5 comments:

  1. Great post Young Money, but how can you be Young Money without caring too much about money. I'll have to think about that one

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  2. Pretty good Nate. However, I wish you made it a little more personal. Do you have any more specific memories that can help the reader better understand what you went through?

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  3. very well written Nate. i too know the feelings of success and defeat very well. i didn't have a privileged childhood either, because of this i strive to fill my life with the things i didn't have. i think our childhoods make us work harder than the cody davey's and jesse freeland's of the world.

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  4. good post bro! so many people today don't realize how lucky they can be! i think you devloped this very well in your post!

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  5. Your conclusion was pretty much perfect. "I am successful." As simple as it is, you deliver the point powerfully. I agree with you on how our childhoods shape us as human beings, and I admire that as a child you were not spoiled and you didn't have a material side to life. You just had life. And to finish off your post, you made it clear that you still hold on to that side of life, as hard as it is. As we grow up, it's hard not to give in to material lifestyle, especially with all the technology around today.

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