“Happy in my heart”
ChhoTu wants to be successful. He is a tea stall boy.… He smiles shyly and says the yardstick of being successful is working in an office, and ringing the bell for a cup of tea…For him, success in life is a role reversal…
Amit wants to be successful. He has written his XII Boards. For him being successful in life means getting into IIT. His big ticket for future.
Mita is fascinated by the world of glamour. For her being successful in life means being rich and famous.
Success has different meanings to different people. Merits of different kind are necessary for the kinds of success one aspires for. But merit and networking are not ‘either or’ choices, the ability to network is a merit too, as are looks, personality, intellect, and articulation, among others. The ‘only’ other factor which is not a merit in an individual, but is crucial for success of any kind, is luck.
But what is success ‘in life’? Do all of us run the same race?
I think it is the story of the elephant and six blind men, AND a blind judge.
I might say that I am successful in life for I earn enough for leading an honest and comfortable middle class lifestyle. But the blind judge says no, you are a failure. While you sweat in out in Delhi summer, your neighbour holidays in Europe.
I might counter the Judge saying that I am still successful in life because my parents gave their today then for me to have an education to become financially secure and earn social respectability today. I have come a long way from where I started, that is success, though I can not still holiday in Europe. The blind judge says no, it is not from where you started, it is where you have reached. What is this animal called social respectability? It is money that defines success. More money means more success.
I keep quiet out of courtesy and deference; he is after all the judge, though he is as blind as I am.
But in my heart I feel that success in life means truthfully being able to say ‘no regrets’, and being at peace with what you have.
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This blog was written in response to Rajee Kushwaha's invitation to debate at
http://rajee.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/05/let-us-debate-contest-1.htm
The topic for debate was "WHAT DOES MATTER FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE ? IS IT MERIT OR NETWORKING?"
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Hi Mr D Sampath,
The key to happiness is not allowing anybody else to decide the criteria for success, yes indeed. Thank you for the comment.
Hi Maddss,
Thank you for the endorsement.
Hi Nargis,
Conscience is what makes us human, I guess... Thank you for being here.
Aditi
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Aditi...............
For me success is defined by the sleep one gets. The more peaceful your sleep, the more successful you have been in life! And this can be achieved only if a guard called Conscience is always alert..........and not while one is sleeping but while one is fully awake:-}
That's some topic for debate. Loved reading your point of view.....
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Aditiji
Who would not agree with your contention!!
Regards
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dear Aditi,
i ahve never allowed
any one else to decide criteria for my my success.
but in whatever endeavour
i do take the feed back from the
environment to calibrate myself..
success as defined by the maximum people
is not necesserily how you can calbrate your own success.
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Dr Kartha, Sir,
Thank you so much for the comment. I will shortly read your blog and mark my presence.
Hi Julia,
Sure I will... my mom was not keeping well , just brought her back today from Nursing Home after a complete check up... what with my son needing to travel to Kolkata again for the rescheduled WBJEE exam later this week... etc... I am a litle tied up, but will read and comment as I find time. .
Hi Basab,
I do agree with your conclusion.
Aditi
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Aditi, contrary to the accepted belief, the meek will NOT inherit the earth. I know one can not avoid the blind judges and their judgements, but who compels you to pay any heed to those judgements? The fear of being ostracized from the blind 'society'? May be that would be a good thing in a way.
The best way to act and live your life, hear whatever others have to say, but do whatever you want to do.
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Dear Aditi,
I know you are frightfully busy with the admission of your son. But when time permits, I would love your comment on my post - towards egalitarian relationships. I want to debate on the issue and need you badly.....:(
Julia
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Dear Aditi Ray,
A nice critique based on today's values!
It would be interesting if we rediffine the term success. Suppose we link it to our efforts to control our internal space, than the external frames. Then we may realize that success is just an illusory trick devised by our simian mind to keep our ego stay content. With that awareness, you gain the equanimity and peace when the value of success and failure become insignificant.
By the by, recently we had been to Sringeri. 'Have posted a sort of photo-blog on that. Pl. have alook.
Kartha
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Hi Sue,
Thank you for those kind words.
Hi Yash
Thank you so much.
Hi narensomu
Blind judges can get lost in blind alleys...hahah... liked it.
Hi lotuspetals,
Thank you, dear. Though I am not sure if I would be in a position to claim the prize...hahah...
Hi bhavna,
Thank you so much, dear.
Aditi
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well written... aditi ji...
definitely a gd read... m tooo tooo late here... Congratzzz on ur winninnnn.... wel deserved oneee... 
rgds
Bhavna
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