Success is one of those abstract concepts that affect our lives in a myriad number of ways from cradle to grave. Depending on our upbringing, education, economic circumstances, social relationships, and life experiences, we hold many different views of what it is to be successful in life. As children, we mainly view success with regard to how we perform in school. How we perform then continues to be the yardstick to measure success in life.
On the occasion of the major success of a family member, I handed over a copy of a poem called “Success” by Nivedita Chatterjee to the celebrant. This was at the end of the evening when all the celebrating was over. I was fortunate to find it on the internet and I felt that it offered a very sobering definition of success and one that the graduate might want to keep in mind. You will find it below the next collage.
| If I were to be not myself, then I would rather not want this success,If I were to unlearn all my values and principles, then what is the use of learning the tactics of this success, If I were to barter the blissful moments with my loved ones, for this maddening race, then I would prefer, this success, to not to be chased. If my smile and emotions have to be fake, Yes, it is important even for me to have success, The realization of aspirations is what is my success. The utilization of skills and tapping of potential, is what is my success.. The zeal to learn and always wanting to improve, is what is my success.. To compete with none but myself, is what is my success.. The satisfaction of giving and contributing, is my success.. I want this success and am moving only towards this SUCCESS! ! Nivedita Chatterjee |
Since my blog is a photo blog and the topic of success is an abstract concept, I decided to use images that I took at the Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto. It is fitting too in that the 
graduate in question and I spent a wonderful time here at the Aquarium – the one I shared the “Success” poem with. We even got to touch the stingrays.
Hope you enjoyed the collages and that the poem gives you some room for thought.