Years ago I read a writer’s account
of what an insatiable beast the craving for success can be. If you get a positive
rejection, you need to have an acceptance. If you have an acceptance, you need
it to be from a large publisher. If you get a contract from a large publisher,
you need to have great reviews. If you get great reviews, you need to have
fantastic sales. If you have great sales, you need awards. If you have great
sales, glowing reviews, are published by the largest publisher, and have awards
dripping from your lapel, why oh why isn't one of those The Nobel???
Back to what success really means
to me- do good work and stay sane. Success!
12 comments:
Amen!
So true! While it's always good to have goals to be better, one really needs to appreciate whatever current successes on has too. :)
Well said, Mirka. I love this quote taped to in office (attributed to Emerson, but perhaps the original author might be Bessie Stanley):
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
You just made this blog better with this^. Thank you, Vijaya.
Success comes in all sizes and all should be celebrated. :)
Do good work and stay sane sounds like an excellent plan!
Ah yes, this sounds familiar. It's nice to keep pushing ourselves toward new goals, but that shouldn't be at the expense of celebrating our accomplishments.
Two worthy goals. Yes, success is like chocolate. We always want a little more.
This is like remembering that life is the journey, not the destination. It's sad to be looking ahead so much that we miss what is.
Yes. We should aim to be the best we can be and try to forget all the trappings of success. Doing good and staying sane is a worthy mantra.
An excellent post and a good reminder, Mirka. And, Marcia, I really like your reminder as well. An important part of all of this for me is trying to remember not to compare myself with other writers, but to try to use the abilities God has given me in the best ways I can for him and for others.
I LOVE your definition of success, because with this definition comes contentment and thankfulness.
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