How do you define a successful life? The Merriam Webster dictionary has this definition; "...having gotten or achieved wealth, respect, or fame" or "having the correct or desired result...". I beg to differ.
A few days ago, I watched a documentary about Warren Buffet. I did not know who he is until mid-1994 during a job interview. At age 86, Mr. Buffet still goes to work everyday and does what he is passionate about, much like the way he has been working for the past six and a half decades. He is one of the Top 5 wealthiest people in the world for many years. Last year he donated $2.86 billion USD to charity. As far as I could tell, he is as at ease with himself, and being content with every aspect of his life. Mr. Buffet is the textbook example of leading a successful life by "having achieved wealth, respect, or fame."
Another successful person that comes to mind is that of Saint Teresa of Kolkata. I visited the Mother House in 2003, and it is just a modest dwelling place for Catholic nuns of her order. Missionaries of Charity was founded by Mother Teresa in 1950. This saintly woman had no more than 3 saris and a pair of sandals in her possession when she was alive. Moreover, she made a difference in millions of lives with her dedication of serving the poorest of the poor. She led a successful life by "having the correct or desired result".
Yesterday I watched a video clip about the 25 most influential people in history based on a study conducted by MIT. Even though many great scientists and engineers made it to the Top 25 list, the No. 1 most influential person in history is Aristotle. To be quite honest, I was a bit surprised at first. How could a Greek philosopher from 4th Century B.C. beat all his fabulous contemporaries? We don't even have a tangible object that would remind us of him. I then realize that he definitely altered the way that future generations thought and reasoned. Alexander the Great, who was the greatest conqueror, was his pupil. His philosophies and teachings were spread over several continents some 2400 years ago.
Warren Buffet, Mother Teresa and Aristotle have one thing in common. They all followed their hearts and dedicated their entire lives doing what they loved to do. Whatever good (wealth, respect, fame, influence, etc.) came out of their successful lives seemed almost secondary to the joy that radiated from them.
A few days ago, I watched a documentary about Warren Buffet. I did not know who he is until mid-1994 during a job interview. At age 86, Mr. Buffet still goes to work everyday and does what he is passionate about, much like the way he has been working for the past six and a half decades. He is one of the Top 5 wealthiest people in the world for many years. Last year he donated $2.86 billion USD to charity. As far as I could tell, he is as at ease with himself, and being content with every aspect of his life. Mr. Buffet is the textbook example of leading a successful life by "having achieved wealth, respect, or fame."
Another successful person that comes to mind is that of Saint Teresa of Kolkata. I visited the Mother House in 2003, and it is just a modest dwelling place for Catholic nuns of her order. Missionaries of Charity was founded by Mother Teresa in 1950. This saintly woman had no more than 3 saris and a pair of sandals in her possession when she was alive. Moreover, she made a difference in millions of lives with her dedication of serving the poorest of the poor. She led a successful life by "having the correct or desired result".
Yesterday I watched a video clip about the 25 most influential people in history based on a study conducted by MIT. Even though many great scientists and engineers made it to the Top 25 list, the No. 1 most influential person in history is Aristotle. To be quite honest, I was a bit surprised at first. How could a Greek philosopher from 4th Century B.C. beat all his fabulous contemporaries? We don't even have a tangible object that would remind us of him. I then realize that he definitely altered the way that future generations thought and reasoned. Alexander the Great, who was the greatest conqueror, was his pupil. His philosophies and teachings were spread over several continents some 2400 years ago.
Warren Buffet, Mother Teresa and Aristotle have one thing in common. They all followed their hearts and dedicated their entire lives doing what they loved to do. Whatever good (wealth, respect, fame, influence, etc.) came out of their successful lives seemed almost secondary to the joy that radiated from them.
