What's a "successful life"?

[sam_gordon]

Maybe this will become an interesting discussion. What does it take to say your life is a "success"? Obviously each person is different. BUT, before you answer, consider this...

I'd say my life is a "success". I have...
A job
A long time spouse
Three wonderful kids
A house
Vehicles

BUT, is someone who DOESN'T have those things "unsuccessful"? Obviously not. So then I started thinking "what qualifies a life as 'successful'"? Can you only say someone has/had a successful life after they've lived 'x' years? Then what's 'x'?

Once you've qualified your life as a "success", can it become 'unsuccessful'?

Food for thought...

 

[nw6675]

A DD12 who still loves me like I'm queen of the world

A DH who after 27 years thinks I AM queen of the world

Nothing more, nothing less. This is what makes me.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Having people who love you and being happy more often than not. IMO those are the only things needed for a successful life.

 

[sam_gordon]

A DD12 who still loves me like I'm queen of the world

A DH who after 27 years thinks I AM queen of the world

Nothing more, nothing less. This is what makes me.

Too easy an answer though. Does that mean someone who doesn't have a daughter or a husband is "unsuccessful"?

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Twenty years ago I would have called my life a success. I had a career I loved, a house, and enough money to live the way I wanted. That all went away. I now live in a relative's house and I'm on a fixed income. I wouldn't say I was a screaming success anymore. But I've learned to be content and I've carved out a life here despite it. I worked hard to not be bitter...is that success, or resignation? I don't know. I *do* know that I'm loved, that I've made a difference in several children's lives and continue to make a difference in my Godson's life right now. Maybe *that* was my purpose and success-to steer those kids into becoming good and successful adults.

I've often thought about this. I go out of my way to be kind to people (most of the time.) I try to be a good person who cares deeply, even when caring hurts. I know my place in the world is a small one, but then most people are destined to be this. I don't have a clear answer...I just know that when I go I will be missed and remembered fondly by the people who loved me. And that's enough.

 

[sam_gordon]

Having people who love you and being happy more often than not. IMO those are the only things needed for a successful life.

So someone who never married and their parents have passed on is "unsuccessful"? I see where you're going, but I don't think this is an easy question.

 

[nw6675]

Too easy an answer though. Does that mean someone who doesn't have a daughter or a husband is "unsuccessful"?

I am not too old or incompetent to kick your teeth in.

 

[nw6675]

I am not too old or incompetent to kick your teeth in.

Oops, @LuvOrlando may have some input lol

 

[Disneylover99]

I think success is finding balance in your life, staying positive and persevering no matter what life throws at you.

And I think maybe feeling content or at peace with the things you’ve done or said as you reflect back on your life.

 

[karen4546]

No judgement on anyone, but no teen pregnancy and no daughters on a pole

if you have either or both, then you have a precious grandchild and a daughter with flexible hrs….

you see, everyone’s “success” is subjective.

I am joking of course !

 

[Christine]

Success to me has changed a lot from what I used to think it was in my 20s/30s. I thought it was: getting to a certain place in my career, owning a home, going on XX vacations, launching responsible children, etc.

I don't think that way anymore. I think success is how you respond to life's challenges. good and bad. Even when there's curveballs. Despite whatever choices you made, despite if you're rich are poor, I think I'd consider myself a success if I ended up fairlyl happy and feeling like I contributed somewhere, made things a little better, and adhered as best I could to my core values.

 

[Disneylover99]

No judgement on anyone, but no teen pregnancy and no daughters on a pole

if you have either or both, then you have a precious grandchild and a daughter with flexible hrs….

you see, everyone’s “success” is subjective.

I am joking of course !

And flexible body parts. Those poles are no joke! Lol.

 

[disneychrista]

I think it is hard to quantify "successful." My first thought was someone who has everything they want or need is successful. But then I wondered what if there is something they want that despite everything they aren't able to make that happen, does that mean they are unsuccessful?

 

[nw6675]

And flexible body parts. Those poles are no joke! Lol.

I got winded bringing in Walmart delivery today. No poles.

 

[TippyThomas]

Being completely alone in life now that my parents are gone I'm not sure how to equate what I would consider a good life. I don't think I've accomplished it and I doubt I ever will. I guess I just don't think about it because it's not something I can change about myself.

 

[Kitty 34]

Raising our three sons to be thoughtful, intelligent and motivated adults.

ETA......and they all have a sense of humor which is big!!

 

[MillauFr]

Having enough money to afford Genie +

 

[nw6675]

Having enough money to afford Genie +

Do I need to add you to Sam' crotchety club?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I’ve actually thought a lot about this question and regularly talk about it with my kids.

I think it’s unique for every individual, to start.

For me, my life started off under difficult circumstances, but fortunately, it got better, and that was because of good choices I made as a young adult. (Not to say I didn’t also make some bad ones, too, but I guess the really important ones, thankfully, all pretty much worked out. Was there more to it than “luck”. Idk, maybe!)

I think of success as some of the same things mentioned in the OP, but like another poster, my feelings about it have also evolved as I’ve lived my life, had various crucial experiences, gotten older, and (to me) realize what’s really important in life. And for me, it’s giving. I believe that I’ll leave this world in a good place because I’ve dedicated my life to helping others, and have been at it a very long time now. And also, although it’s what I do for work, it’s also something I do daily everywhere in my life that I can, even on a very small scale (like smiling at someone or holding a door open, etc.). I learned from my mother, who was a very simple person, and grew up under extremely difficult circumstances. Watching the joy that she got out of giving and seeing how she lived her life caring about others despite her own troubles had a big influence on me. I think I’d choose that kind of success over material things. I also believe it brings good karma when it’s pure.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think it is hard to quantify "successful." My first thought was someone who has everything they want or need is successful. But then I wondered what if there is something they want that despite everything they aren't able to make that happen, does that mean they are unsuccessful?

I agree (with the difficulty). Thats why I thought it might lead to an interesting discussion.