What Kind of Success

"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one." -Benjamin Franklin

There is a section of London I stay in when visiting on business. The area is quite near to Kensington Palace, a bit west of Buckingham Palace. This area is a very well-to-do area if gauged by the expensive flats and cars parked out front. There are a number of Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and the sight of a Bentley or two that make me realize my older Chrysler Concorde would be out of place among them.

As you walk through this area you can certainly feel the presence of money. The imagination begins to run wild with thoughts of wondering how these people living in these nices homes make that money. I can imagine that many of the people living in this area are involved in finance, insurance, the arts or possibly politics. My mother would have said, "yes, but you don't know what their credit card bills are like." There is probably a bit of truth to that. My guess is that they can afford the credit card bills.

Yet wealth comes in many fashions. My wife had reminded me of the story in which two people who liked to gossip. This couple had seen a new expensive car that another couple in their church were driving. Of course they came to a conclusion that this couple could not have obtained it through legal means. The rumors they passed on became more cruel and outrageous. The couple with the new car became deeply hurt when they heard the stories. They had simply inherited a great sum of money from a relative that had passed on. In this particular story, the saddened couple left the church.

So tell me, would you begrudge someone that had obtained a certain level of financial success?

Why do people gossip and think hurtful thoughts in this manner about the success of others?

I can only believe most of it has to do with jealousy. Jealous of what others have. When we don't have what others do, we allow envy to enter our hearts and minds. It can become a very devastating way to view others. It is my contention that we should choose to be happy for those that have achieved. A greater share of these people have worked hard and truly earned their success.

Most certainly there are those that have obtained success in a not so reputable fashion. But choose to believe in the majority that have honestly earned it. We should be proud of them because doing so is a step in getting out of your old attitudes and into new ones. Dream and believe that you will have that level of success as well.

Petty jealousy is what keeps you down. Be a bigger person and throw away those thoughts. Revel in others success as it can be yours one day. And remember, success is not only financial. Success is a feeling you achieve inside. You will know it when you feel it deep inside.

For me, I'm already a successful man with the family and friends that I have. I have a job that I enjoy immensely and allows me to travel. I get to meet others from all around the world. I get to experience their kindness and pass it on to others. Success is a feeling inside and no one can take that from you.

Stay inspired my friends.