When I was a child, I thought success was so simple: having a house, a job, a car, and a loving family. That was it—so simple, with no other desires like the ones that come later in life. Wanting this, wanting that, wanting this, wanting that—and before you know it, you’re overwhelmed by problems. And eventually, anxiety begins to creep in, fearing this, fearing that.
That’s the journey of life—whether it’s the same for others or not, but fundamentally, it’s the same; what differs is how we face it and navigate it. Then, returning to the concept of success itself, when we’re young and just entering adulthood, the passion to pursue success is so intense. Like a steam train puffing smoke into the air. Then I recall the concept of success from my childhood—though it seemed simple, it wasn’t easy to achieve. Plus, everyone’s perspective on success is different. When I meet friends, we think they’ve succeeded because of certain things, but when asked, they say they haven’t succeeded yet, there are still many things left to achieve.
He also said he envies me, free from any ties.
Wow, it turns out success isn’t the same in everyone’s eyes. But one thing unites us all: the pursuit of happiness. And the kind of happiness they chase is what distinguishes and becomes the language of success for each individual who has lived life.
So for me now, success has explicitly shifted from an illusion to a meaningful way of living and being grateful. No matter where we are or what position we hold, if we don’t feel grateful and don’t understand life, it will be difficult to comprehend success itself. So, no matter what form it takes, just be grateful and live it—after all, the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west. Unless it’s the apocalypse. Maybe it’s different then, and I hope I’m not among those who experience what the apocalypse feels like.
What’s most important is waking up free from worrying about debt. So you can smile even if you have a headache from sleeping too long, and bitter coffee still smells fragrant when you inhale it. Life isn’t about who succeeds first, but about who can endure and remain human. So be grateful for life as it is—it’s a gift.
