Success = Wealth + Power

That's my dad's definition for success, not mine.

Few years ago, when he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, he remarked out of the blue, "It's a pity there isn't anyone who is really successful in our family."

Then, I replied nonchalantly, "But Uncle Baun is a senior manager in Deutsche Bank, he is so rich. What about Aunt Lane, she is a judge in the court of law! Certainly they are successful?"

"Well, if you are talking about income and social status, there are bunch of people out there with the same accomplishment, and even better. I meant something more than that, like those who walk the corridor of power, like a prime minister."

"Whoa, wait a minute, did you say the Prime Minister? The head of the government?!" I was dumbfounded.

Come to think of it again today, dad probably wasn't serious about it. You see, there are 195 countries in this world, and therefore 195 head of countries. With a world population of over 6 billion, the probability of you becoming one of those elites is remotely close to zero. You would have a better chance hitting jackpot in Las Vegas.

And also the fact that I have not seen massive numbers of people jumping off buildings/bridges due to failure of getting successful, as defined by dad's equation.

To me, success is merely achieving the goal I intended to attain earlier. It is not a lifelong endeavour, it can occur everyday. Wanting to write a blog post by the end of the day and getting it done is a success.

Everyone has their own goals. And not everybody aspires to become the next prime minister or president, at least not me. If someone's dream is to become a school teacher, so be it. He may not be rich, nor have the political power, but he is successful, when he achieves his goal, which is to become a school teacher.

Success = (achieving whatever goals one set up). Ah, isn't that simple enough?

Sorry dad, I am going to let you down...[grin]