Oftentimes, I ask my students the typical no-brainer question: "What do you want to be after your tertiary education?" 80% of my folks answer me with a statement starting with the word 'successful' (i.e. successful business man, successful restaurant owner, successful blabla). Out of the blue, one student of mine asked me back, "What about you Ma'am, do you consider yourself successful?" The moment that question reached my inner sense, I began to ask myself, "Oo nga 'no? Am I really 'successful' enough to be infront of these kids?", but what does being 'successful' really means ba talaga? Not that I doubt my credibility of being a college lecturer, but it was one hard question to answer.
Success, I believe, is a very subjective point of discussion. For some, success means landing on their dream jobs, or having a payroll account of this much, or having their own properties, or having the ability to go places they once dreamt of going. At this very point, I can say I AM FAR from those definitions of being 'successful'.
To answer that question:
YES, I am successful right now because I wake up each morning with a smile and enthusiasm of getting to share what I know to the young and fresh tabularasa (minds) around me -even with just few hours of sleep.
YES, I am successful right now because I know, in my very own little way, I am able to take my part in other person's life, by being a source of encouragement for them to pursue their aspirations in life.
YES, I am successful right now because I may not have a lot, but I know I have a lot.
YES, I am successful right now because my students trust me that they will get something from me. To be trusted is a way better compliment than to be loved.
YES, I am successful right now because I am hearing the 2 magic words -- 'Thank you!' from my folks.
YES, I am successful right now because I learned how to accept life's realities and be open on how to deal with them.
YES, I am successful right now because I know where to invest my resources and set priorities.
YES, I am successful right now because each problem I face, I see learning points and opportunities.
YES, I am successful right now because I may not have the top of the line technology and systems, different city's arrival stamps on my passport, extra dimes that would allow me to give my parents a grand European holiday, but, truly, I wake up each morning happy and contented with what I currently have. Not wanting for more, but feeling plainly blessed for everyday's grace.
I never actually had the chance to explicitly express these 'realizations' to this student of mine. My answer that time was: "Yes, I am, because I am here in front of you." Period.
But really, being successful, for me, is having that blissful feeling when you wake up early in a verrrrry cold morning and not dragging yourself to do a 'routine'.
We all deserve to be in our happiest form as we continue our journey in this path we call life. :)
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