The Measurements of Success and Happiness

A marathon is measured by distance travelled. Liquid is measured in Litres and millilitres. Weight is measured by kilograms or pounds. So how is success measured? Does success correlate to happiness? When you think of someone who you perceive as successful, how is their success measured? Is it by the amount of money they have? Does the kind of car they drive impact on their “successful” image? Does a persons amount of followers on social media determine their success in your eyes?

For many, success means living large (so to speak). It means having a multitude of material possessions. Success means having the financial freedom to do what you want, when you want. Does this kind of success directly relate to a happy and full life?

Life is not measured by how much you own. At the end of your life, you cannot take your possessions with you to whatever comes next. So why are we so intent in competing in this “rat race”? We, as a society, seem to be so intent on “getting”. We want to get the big house, the luxurious car, and so many other “things”. Has this type of thinking made us happy? Do these posessions we eagerly desire make our lives full?

Fame. That is something we attribute to success. But, and very unfortunately, there are many “successful people” who take their own life. It seems that this successful life full of wealth and fame is not all it’s cracked up to be. From the outside looking in, it seems as though they have all the measurements and ingredients to make them happy and successful in life. But you cannot know a persons journey and struggles when you have not walked in their shoes.

So how do you measure happiness? Sorry, I dont have the answer for you. For every person is unique, and so happiness is different for each individual. It is kind of like shopping for a cake. Let’s call it, the “happiness cake”. Imagine that the supermarket is life, and you are walking up and down the isles in search for this happiness cake that you can purchase. You may be looking for a ready-made cake from the bakery section, or a packet mix in an isle. You are looking outwards in life, for something else to make you happy. You give up at the grocery store and head home. In this instance, home represents you. It is yourself. At home, you find the ingredients needed to bake the happiness cake are already there. You see, you have to look within yourself.

A Body of water is measured by it’s depth. Why don’t we put more value on ourselves in the same way? Why don’t we strive to be successful, in terms of having great integrity, honesty, insight and kindness? Why not strive to have more understanding and depth? Why not start today?

-Hazel.