Success - Is it for everyone?

       One of the most respectable people I have come across in my life is Larry Gelwix.  He has had a successful life with many notable achievements.  Most notably, he was the head coach of the Highland rugby team portrayed in the Hollywood film “Foreverstrong”.  I have been blessed to have a close personal relationship with him as I served a two-year volunteer religious service under his direction.  One thing I respect about him is his ability to continue having a lasting effect upon his many connections.  He sends an inspirational email every day to a huge list of his friends and other acquaintances.  An email I received from him earlier this week has had a profound impact on my perception of learning.  It contained a quote that reads:

"Whenever you see a successful person you only see the public glories, never the private sacrifices to reach them." - Vaibhav Shah

      Often, I compare myself to the successful people I see around me and have feelings of jealousy, and discontentment of my own success.  I wrongly see them as those who were born into a wealthy situation or just “got lucky” with an opportunity.  This quote I received allowed me to humble myself and accept the truth of hard work.  Great sacrifices precede any success one gains in life. 

      Everyone faces sacrifices in life.  The success comes from those who made a habit of giving up something to gain something superior.  Those sacrifices don’t have to include astronomical changes; they could include small changes each day.  For example, waking up at seven in the morning is not a huge sacrifice, but making a habit of doing so each morning for years on end is indeed a huge sacrifice. 

     Many sacrifices people face are not necessarily appropriate to take at that period in time.  One needs long-term vision to properly know what sacrifices are appropriate; some only open their eyes to short term, where the reward does not pay out.

      Everyone who has ever achieved something has doubters.  A doubter is someone who views the sacrifice as greater than the reward, therefore “doubts” the decision to sacrifice.  To those who doubt, let them listen to Bill Cosby who simply put it, “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”

      I have always had doubters in my life.  I needed to learn this life lesson so I can go through life, and be able to know what it really takes to be successful.  So from here on, I will not perceive those who I see as successful as “lucky”.  I will give myself more credit for my hard work, and not let the doubters in my life have such an effect on my morale and behavior.  I know what success is, and I know what it takes.