When I was a child, I dreamt to be a successful lawyer, like my Uncle Elping. But it never happened. Instead, my younger sister Rhoda did it. She became an attorney-at-law.
During my high school days, new technologies emerged and so I dreamt to be a Computer Engineer, to be employed in the biggest and best company available. And of course with all the luxuries of a very high-paying job. But it never happened. Instead, I became an Electronics and Communications Engineer and established my own business.
When college days came, I dreamt to study in Manila – where the best and biggest universities are believed to fulfill my studies. But it never happened. Instead, I graduated at St. Louis University, Baguio City.
Every time I started counting my dreams with my fingers, I also started to count my ‘failures’ with my feet. Most probably, I should include your feet too, in my counting.
So, I ask myself. Am I successful in life? A question that is seems to be unfathomable. A question each of us is maybe asking right now.
That answer came to me just a few days ago in an unlikely manner.
It was late at night. Around 10:30PM. I was busy debugging one of my software under development, when my son passed by to get glass of water from our dispenser. (He usually do that at night.)
When he passed by I ask, “How’s your school?”
He proudly replied, “I got a star in my hand!” And he showed me a red star stamped at the back of his left hand. (If a student did a good job in school, he will get a star in the hand.)
I congratulated him, “Very good!”
He smiled and I kissed him good night.
I don’t know what came to my mind. But I realized how happy had been my child when he got that star. I realized how successful he was to himself.
One by one, I count the things I have done. As I recall each thing, I smiled and look at the back of my hand and I said to my self, “This could have been full of star if I did stamp my hand for every good job I did!”
Surely, being successful is not measured by the amount of money you got. It is not measured by material things you acquire. Nor it is not measured by the luxurious lifestyle.
Being successful is doing what you think is right and best in everything you do. Being successful is appreciating yourself for each good job you made. And don’t forget to stamp that star in you hand!
Originally posted at www.lakay-lakay.com
