Writing

There is a billboard just before I get on the freeway here in Palm Springs that is titled: The Road to Success.

It is advertising a montessori school and it shows a group of children around a Rolls Royce.

I am struck by that vision of success each time I drive by it, simply because I don’t agree with the premise.

Success in their eyes is determined by the kind of car you drive and probably the amount of zeros in your bank account.

I view success very differently.  Although I may be considered very unsuccessful if you were to see my bank account, I feel very successful in many other areas.  I feel successful each time I see my students write and share their amazing life stories.

I feel successful when I hear that my children are leading happy productive lives.

I feel successful each time I run.

I feel successful each time I do the right thing.

To me success is not status or money, it is about doing the right thing.

I may never get rich doing what I do, but I can’t imagine being any more fulfilled.