This is a tale of success through the ages. Success is an onion of many layers that tests are ability to succeed in our families, at our job, and in relationships. We can overcome obstacles or learn skills and habits to be successful, but who decides what success means?
Let’s look at success though the ages. What is success for a baby? Baby Bob rattles, “My success is getting a bottle and having a clean diaper while cuddling in my mommy’s loving arms.”
Tommy, the non-talking toddler, success maybe based in the battle of potty training. He thinks to himself; why doesn’t that childcare lady understand that when I pat my chest and bottom I am telling her I need to go. “Me go potty. ME..GO-000..POTTY!” She can see me standing in front of the bathroom door.”
Tormented Trent, a kindergarten student confesses, “I am successful if my little wooden man does not move up Mrs. Lowery’s ladder of misbehavior, having to sign the “In Trouble Book”, then getting a letter sent home to Mom.”
Tina teenager has set a new goal for her success as she demonstrates her animated and unique gestures she states, “Just because I tried everything and broke every rule doesn’t mean I should have been grounded nine out of twelve months this year. I think it’s in the Guinness book of world records! Next year I am going to try for less than nine.”
Adult Amy, the single parent of Tommy and Trent, would be happy with a minor success. “I would just like a life that doesn’t have calamity in every corner waiting to pounce upon me like a savage beast.”
As for Kate, Amy’s Mom and Tommy and Trent’s grandma, she gets exhausted just trying to keep up with it all. Working full-time, like Amy, Kate babysits every chance she gets and loving every minute, she helps everyone. She feels neglected, under-appreciated and under paid. Takes care of everything but buying the toilet paper at work for the departments she supports. They don’t even know what the word APPRECIATION means. Then to top it off, my dryer goes out, my air conditioning breaks at my house, and then a car throws a rock up and breaks my windshield. Of course, I just have collision because my car is too old. So I’m chasing this guy, who looks like grizzly Adams, down the highway, suddenly realizing; what are you going to do if you stop him, he will eat you alive.
True success can be just surviving daily trials and tribulations that rain down upon those under the tattered and broken umbrella of Murphy’s Law.
