How Do We Measure Success?

Success, what a funny word isn’t it? Many may lose sleep over it, lose their minds, or even make life threatening decisions to achieve that goal.  Whether it’s making multi-million dollars, or buying that fancy dream car, or being with that person you truly love. We all have given success a very materialistic definition. In basic terms, an equation which can solve all of our materialistic worldly problems. I’m not saying this is a wrong approach. Just stating what most people objectify the world to be as. Now the real question is, would success be defined the same if let’s say all of our problems were solved? We were given everything that “money” gives. Our perspectives on success would immediately change. Success in today’s day and age is defined by going to school to get an education, crashing that 9 to 5 job, and cashing out dollars. However, it’s much more than that. It’s about being true to yourself. But why do we do this? Why do we run through hell and back? Why do we make sacrifices? 

It all starts from our spiritual health, how true we are  to ourselves. How do we view ourselves spiritually? How do view our end? Not the end that we call death. Not the end where the majority of us are laying on a deathbed. Regretting what we could’ve done with this gift we call life. The end where we have to stand in front of Allah (S.W.T) and have the answers for all of our actions. That end, are we prepared for it? Do we even remember death everyday? Do we think about the how pleased Allah (S.W.T) is with us? Sure we have dark days, days where we become one with our evil side and portray our dark ways. A statement from the Quran says, “Everyone shall taste death. And only on the day of resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed in successful. The life of this world is only a deceiving thing.” (Quran 3:185) 

How many may say, “wait, so we give up on everything and focus on deen and character?” No, don’t just focus on that, focus on bettering yourself. Focus on holding yourself to a higher standard. Focus on all the burdens Allah (S.W.T) has put on you cause that’s where the real learning begins. That’s where we learn about to differentiate our pros and cons. Focus on the factors that define us as a person. Be principle centred, create boundaries that really test one’s comfort zone.

There was a story about a man. The man was strolling through the jungle and saw a meerkat, a lion, and a deer. The lion slowly, gradually, plans his move. He plans to attack the deer. He hides behind a bush, waiting for the correct time to prey. He leaps to prey, his jaw on the deer’s necks, claws on its stomach and slowly killing the deer for it’s means. The lion was done with its meal. Leaving a lot of the meat behind. All of a sudden, the man notices the meerkat makes way to the remaining meat and fulfills its hunger. Now the real question is, would you rather be a meerkat or a lion?