Just a couple of weeks back, news got out on Facebook that a date and location had been set for my 10th year high school reunion. I was excited, after all, high school did not treat me bad, and I actually liked it. I believe I was part of one of Norte Vista High School's most athletic/spirited classes, class of 2003 (Though I'm sure that's debatable). That's not to say that I wasn't glad to graduate, because I was. Very glad as a matter of fact. Anyhow, my husband... not so excited! Honestly, he agreed to go just so I wouldn't go by myself since he didn't have the guts to ask me to our senior prom.
Days later the new season of Duck Dynasty was premiering, and to my delight, and my husbands dismay, the first portion of the episode is all about Willy's high school reunion and he expresses how much he's looking forward to it because it is a great opportunity to show off your successes. That Got me thinking; What exactly counts as "success," and do I consider myself successful?
I think it's pretty clear to us what the definition of success is. Dictionary.com defines it as: a. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals. b.the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. After giving it some thought I came to the realization that the measuring rod for "success" is a very subjective one, it's not a "one size fits all" concept.
If you were to have asked me 10 years ago, "where would I see myself in 10 years," I would not have said married with 2 children. Success to me, then, meant becoming a fire fighter, being an independent women, having a degree of some sort, and maybe being engaged. Today, with all honesty and sincerity, I could proudly say that I'm so happy that my life did not stay that course. Today, I don't have a degree. I don't have a thriving career, nor do I desire one; I'm married, and have been for coming up on 8 years now, and... I have two of the most beautiful, smart, wild, but loving little girls. My successes do not have a high GPA or six digit paycheck stub attached to them. My successes involve the daily raising, rearing, and education of my children. They involve the daily effort to become a better wife and follower to my husband, and if your a wife, you know how hard that can be.
But you see, in today's society, that isn't enough. Being a stay at home wife and mom isn't regarded as a high accomplishment. To many, a stay at home wife is just glorified nanny that makes no money off of caring for her own children... Thankfully, I can care less what society thinks of my accomplishments. I've worked hard to be where I am at today. No matter how superior one may feel over me, those accomplishments cannot be taken away from me, and it doesn't make anybody better than me, nor do my successes or accomplishments make me better than anyone else.
If I could give the younger generation any advise, I would say, follow your dreams, even if those dreams don't land you a nice house or an expensive sports car within 10 years. And contrary to popular belief, college is NOT for everybody, and if you need to go to college, do it in the most efficient way possible, at your own pace, remembering that degrees are only worth the paper they are written on.Yes I said it, and its the sad truth. Measure success according to your own subjective goals while holding on to the objective truth that all men are created equal, that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights, and that among them are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. So protect, respect, and live life,and Defend and fight for your liberty to pursue what brings you happiness.
Yours Truely -Brenda
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