Article by Shawn Gill and Nadia Kaczkowski | Owl Staff
At what point does one realize the dream of attaining extraordinary wealth and having more twitter followers than Lady GaGa is probably not going to happen? While most will come to this realization and, presumably, still live happy lives, the pressure to achieve “success”– defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s definition as “attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence”-pervades American culture.
Media images of wealth, fame, and power bombard this society, and many are consuming it up; but Hermann Hesse, a poet, painter, and novelist once posed the question, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul?”
This is the point of writing today; it is a crusade against success. Screw success: there is something noble about living your life not consumed by material possessions. To me, it’s all about being happy, truly and simply happy, that constitutes a successful life.
Call this old fashioned, but that song by Montgomery Gentry, “Something to be Proud of” is a sort of mantra that many can live by: “Like a small-town flag a-flyin’/Or a newborn baby/cryin’ in the arms of the woman that you love/That’s something to be proud of.”
It says, living life where you are, not taking any day for granted, and enjoying the company of your loved ones is the definition of a successful life; it is a life you can be proud of.
“There is something noble about living your life not consumed by material possessions.”
Inspirational lecturer, writer and mythologist, Joseph Campbell, shares in Myths to Live By that for some, “seeking the meaning of life” may be of help, “but it really only helps the intellect,” not the spirit.
Do not live consumed in ideals, words, definitions, and “what ifs”; follow the genuine nature of your soul.
Roving Reporter: Who is the most successful person you know?
By Sharon Rice & Imani Lewis | Photography by Joshua Eller | Owl Staff
Jonny Struble,
Business Administration
“Kevin Hert, member of my church, Trinity Church of Baltimore, a stockbroker and a millionaire. He uses his time to coordinate events for the youth at Trinity Church of Baltimore.“
Angelina Comando,
Mass Communications
“My Mass Comm teachers – They do what they love and they are active in their field, as well.”
Justin McDowell,
Mass Communications
“My pastor. He is a great example to the young men in his community concern- ing how to behave. He is very successful financially, as well.
Matt Erins,
General Studies
“My father. Thirty years ago, he was working for
$1.20/hour and now he is working as the president of his company. He’s worked his butt off and has relied on himself for every single dollar he has earned.”