Success and Success

Success can mean different things to different people. Over the years, success has meant a lot of different things to me. When I was twenty the success, after which I chased, is different from what I have achieved in my forties; I don't think one is better than the other. Believing that one type of success is better than the other can only deliver regret, so I have chosen to believe that whatever success I currently enjoy is the one that best serves me. 

Of course my parents have a different view of my success. It took a long time for me to understand, both emotionally and intellectually, that there is common ground upon which both ideas meet. My parents are proud of my success and as such I strive to be proud of what I do. For my parents the pride is in me being visible in my work. For me the pride is in doing the work. In both cases there is success.

For example a national commercial. My parents are proud when they get calls, from friends and family, saying, "He's on TV all the time." The other day, when my dad was in town running errands, one of his pals shouted to him from across the main street, "Saw your son on TV last night". This makes my parents happy which, in turn, makes me happy. It is a win win. 

I admit I like the fact that I have been seen on TV but knowing my parents are proud of me and my work is the best success.