The Data Warrior

What is Success?

Late last week I took a quick trip back to central New York (Syracuse-area) to attend a family funeral for my brother’s father-in-law (who I had know for 20+ years). While it was of course a sad occasion, it did allow me an unplanned visit to see my father (for an early father’s day no less), my brothers, and their families. So that is always a nice treat regardless (anytime you can spend with family is good).

As happens on the occasion of the passing of someone you know, we all take a little time to reflect on our lives, our family, friends, our blessings, and other related topics.

As it happens, the back of the program from the memorial mass had a short poem on success from Ralph Waldo Emerson that, as the say, spoke to me. So here it is for your reflection as well.

To laugh often and to love much;

to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

to earn appreciation of honest critics;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a better place that we found it;

whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.

This is to have succeeded.

RIP, Paul Russell, Sr. (1941-2016)