Left for six months and never came back

/ Mitchell Park Library/

To me, being successful means...
Being able to take pride in what you've made of your life.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
Although the core of my own idea of success hasn't changed, it has been a difficult and continuing struggle to keep my sense of accomplishment separate from parental expectations. You'd think at 40 it would be easier to look your parents in the eye and not be sorry for having chosen a path that doesn't involve marrying a person wealthy by inheritance or profession in order to secure a pampered and indolent life for oneself and one's offspring, but...in my experience, parents don't change. I had to build yourself the protective space I needed to keep myself from wishing I had never been born. 

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I never thought I would be doing this with my life, but I love it!

/ My parents' house. ??/

To me, being successful means...
Having fulfilling relationships with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances; being able to provide for your family by doing something that feels valuable and beneficial; being the best person that you can be, and constantly striving to be even better.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I have been blessed materially, through a combination of really good luck and hard work, but I have become convinced that at least part of my success has been due to the way I choose to treat others. Growing up in Palo Alto, there was such emphasis placed upon money as a measure of success, I was lucky that my family always reminded me that money is not everything and that people are more important.

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Life is short -- enjoy and keep learning and experiencing new things.

/ Main Library/

To me, being successful means...
Doing what you want to do and having a good balance between work, family and life.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
It used to be focused only on work success, now it is more holistic.

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