When asked the question, "Who do you admire most?" often times people respond with Moms, and Dads, and Grandparents. However, when asked to identify a person of success, responses are flooded with the likes of Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Tiger Woods. Hmmm...do we not admire those who we consider successful? Are those we admire most not considered successful in our eyes? Or is our definition of success merely misconstrued?
Dictionary.com defines success as:
1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
2. The attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
Let's take a look at a couple successful people.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an activist and prominent leader in the American civil rights movement. He was also a Baptist preacher who may or may not have made too much money during his years, but is definately an admirable person, and one of much success.
Vincent Van Gogh a Dutch Post-Impressionist artist whose paintings and drawings include some of the world's best known, most popular, and most expensive pieces, was a drunk. He sold his paintings for liquor money. He died a broke drunk, but is admired by artists of all ages, a success in the eyes of many.
Vincent Van Gogh a Dutch Post-Impressionist artist whose paintings and drawings include some of the world's best known, most popular, and most expensive pieces, was a drunk. He sold his paintings for liquor money. He died a broke drunk, but is admired by artists of all ages, a success in the eyes of many.
How, then, do we determine success? Is it monetary worth? Is it media publicity? Is it the amount a person contributes to society?
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