Sunday, October 24, 2010

Success

"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."~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and much
-I laugh, and it is often and much, but I want to be even more joyful.
to win the respect of intelligent people
-I don't know if I have this or not, but feel that I've made progress at least.
and the affection of children;
-Yes; I have this! This is probably my favorite on the list and the thing that makes me happiest.
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
-No idea of my standing here.
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
-I have had this opportunity several times and will probably be blessed with it again. I've not done as thorough a job with this as could be desired, but it was sufficient.
to appreciate beauty,
-Check!
to find the best in others;
-Generally I do this, but I want to do this more universally and with greater charity.
to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
-I'm working on this. I'd prefer to leave the world better by the child option, but I've yet to have that opportunity. :)
to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
-I try to be like this, and I need to be better.
This is to have succeeded."~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
-I will achieve this type of success.

1 comment:

  1. Love Emerson. I'll have to measure up myself and see how I'm doing. :)

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