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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Hoping my journey to be a part of change has mattered

/ Hobee's in Town & Country [now closed]/

To me, being successful means...
Getting to a place in your life when you offer advice and opinions without looking around the room for confirmation that you gave the right answer.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
Not about money or position but about a confidence that you know you are now the grown up in the room.

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I love oak trees in the hills

/

To me, being successful means...
Loving life and being able to encourage and provide for others.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
It is less of a material target and more of an attitude or state of being.

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Live a Life of Meaning

/

To me, being successful means...
Finding out what fulfills you over the long term and then persevering through the obstacles and challenges that will present themselves to you. I say "over the long term" because no matter how much you love something, there will be days, weeks that are challenging.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I thought success was a position, an award, an accolade or some other quantifiable thing. Now, I believe that kind of success also has a large element of luck as well. So therein lies the question, is a success that depends on luck really success at all? I'd argue not. Success is tied to your motivations, desires, effort, work, and resiliency. Therefore, success is more about finding a passion and driving forward through obstacles.

 

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Real Life

/ El Carmelo/

To me, being successful means...
Discovering, accepting, and celebrating who I am and my unique potential to influence the world around me.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I used to have a vague sense of what success was. Never being particularly career or money driven, I always tended to relish the moment and dream of the future. I had pictures in my mind of who I wanted to be as a person, not necessarily what I was doing.

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The 60's, VietNam, corporate law, and family. Learning to say yes.

/ St. Michael's Alley [original location]/

To me, being successful means...
Having good, lasting relationships with family and friends, leading a purposeful life in which I honor the things that light me up and contribute to the lives of others.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
In high school and college, I really didn't think about it much. I just knew I wanted to get a job, maybe have a family, and I was preparing for that. I really hadn't gone much beyond that. As a result, I set out on a pretty conventional path....Today, I look more at human values, relationships, and a sense of purpose. I wish that I had been a little more free, less fearful, about exploring different paths. For example, I think I might have loved teaching history at the college level.

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Techie not Treckie!

/ Yacht Harbor [now closed]/

To me, being successful means...
Making enough money to live comfortably and have a little left over. Having a career where I'm enjoying what I'm doing, but also having a great family life.

My definition of success has not changed over time.  

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Throw Away Your Checklist!

/ Rinconada Park/

To me, being successful means...
Living life on my own terms: Living in the now and appreciating family and friends.....Creating my own schedule.....Working in a field that allows me to express my creativity and make my clients happy!

My definition of success has changed over time. 
20's to 30's I worked with a mindset to achieve promotions, professional recognition and increasing income. 30's to 40's success was balancing child rearing and working from home 40's to 50's has been appreciating what I have worked on personally and professionally, and being satisfied

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Life is a journey - enjoy with those you love.

/ Bergmann's lunch counter/

To me, being successful means...
Being self sufficient and happy

My definition of success has changed over time. 
Less dependent on how I look to others (job, car, house, etc.)

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striving for balance

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To me, being successful means...
I think success is being generally happy with what you are doing. I don't mean overjoyed happy every minute of every day but I am achieving success when I wake up ready to start the day and go to bed feeling I accomplished something and had time for those I love. I also think success is making that happen while balancing my family/friends and being there for them and enjoying my time with them as much as I can.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
Growing up I thought of success as being the most educated I could be and then working the hardest to get the highest paying job or best job title no matter what sacrifices I had to make in my own life. Honestly, I have none of the above things now (except the education piece perhaps) and I feel better about my life then ever.

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