What makes the successful in life just that ?

Ramon de Ramon y Ramon · 07-02-2001, 06:59 PM

Before answering that question I must of course first define success. I'll give a seemingly modest definition: being successful in life means attaining contentment with yourself and the circumstances you live in. But please feel free to replace that with your own, maybe much more ambitious definition od success in life.

The "what" in the question refers to any one or any combination of factors like character traits, social background, luck, coincidence, the right role models, etc. ...

To give my answer: for me the single one most influential factor for having success in life is one that I would categorize as a character trait: self-confidence !

That leads of course directly to the next question: what determines the individual level of self-confidence ? Is it mainly predetermined already at birth (genetics) or acquired through your upbringing (social factors) or earned as a result of your own individual achievements over the course of your entire life ? And does something as monolithic and simple as one personal level of self-confidence even exist or does our self-confidence rather vary very much with the different areas (learning, mating, socializing, physical activities, etc.) in which it is tested ? Or do we all rather dispose of a base level of self-confidence (maybe better labelled self-assurance) and additionally of varying levels of "area-confidences" ?

I don't really know, but maybe someone here does and dares to enlighten us with a little essay on that ...

------------------
So long !

R³ - proud to be the official spokesman for the most noble Lady Bilqis, Desert Rose of Ironworks

Btw, the cow is queuing in the slaughterhouse right now !

John D Harris · 07-03-2001, 10:09 PM

Dadgomit Ramon, you had to make it a serious question. My answer was going to be "blind ass luck".

seriously self confidence, and dogmatic determination get my vote.

------------------

"the memories of a man in his old age,
are deeds of a man in his prime"

WOLFGIR · 07-04-2001, 05:10 AM

Buggerit Ramon x3 !! Hehe, me brain is already cooking in this heat..

On your well speculation on the selfconfidence, I think that selfconfidence is one key of it, but also i believe that what people calls "luck", timing and the ability to catch oopotunities that arises is also vital.

Self confidence is built on the flow of everything you mentioned, growth, social standards, learning, studies and also gut-bloddy-feeling to dare and to take chances, espacially if they come through. If you are on a rooll your selfconfidence is good and you seem to pll more things off but one setback can hurt the momentum too..

Buggerit!, me brain is smoking, hey cold beer to the flaming wolf!!!

Aiyeehh....

------------------

Yawning lazywolf dreaming about nice little fairies...zzzzz
Wolfgirs lair
once-upon-a-paper

Ramon de Ramon y Ramon · 07-07-2001, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by John D Harris:
Dadgomit Ramon, you had to make it a serious question. My answer was going to be "blind ass luck".
seriously self confidence, and dogmatic determination get my vote.

Interesting, Mr. Harris, do you mean "dogmatic determination" in a religious context ?

------------------
So long !

R³ - proud to be the official spokesman for the most noble Lady Bilqis, Desert Rose of Ironworks

Btw, the cow is queuing in the slaughterhouse right now !

Sazerac · 07-09-2001, 01:38 PM

Success in life:

bilqis · 07-09-2001, 11:18 PM

Hmmmmm... tough question there oh spokesmen sirs. Hmmmmmm... a successful life. Well, I mostly agree with Sazerac tho not entirely. Maybe I'll put it in my own words...

A successful life means, to me, that:

* You can forgive yourself for your mistakes, and for not being perfect

* You work to the best of your abilities at the time to accomplish as much of what needs doing as you can. (there are times when the best we can accomplish is breathing... but that is success for that time!)

* You do as much as you can to make the lives of others better

* You try to not be judgemental, or unkind, yet honest & honorable in your dealings with others

* You are friendly and kind with most people.

* You accept help and encouragement when you need it. And of course, give it when it's needed.

* Self-love, self-TRUST are essential, in my opinion. Only with those elements will self-confidence arise from each learning experience throughout your life.

Well, I'm tired, so this is the best I can come up with today. Good luck in your quest Ramon!

------------------

Having abandoned my
search for truth, I am
now looking for a good
fantasy.

Thank you to the kind R³
for being such eloquent
& witty spokesmen.

Moridin · 07-13-2001, 01:01 PM

A simple success in life is being true to your morals!

I see too many people state their morals as what they live by and then turn around and sacrafice those morals to either 'fit in' or 'have fun'!

Don't have morals that you are willing to compromise at a convienent time. For a long time in my life I would live my life according to other people's view of me rather my view of myself. I would compromise myself and my beliefs just to be accepted. I have found out recently that this may help me fit in, but in the long-run it is destructive to me and ultimately will make me nothing more than an image of other people's narrow sight.

If you can stay true to yourself, your morals, and your beliefs then I really think you are successful!

------------------

Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig

Redblueflare · 07-18-2001, 04:29 PM

What makes a person sucessful? Being happy. A loving family. A place to stay (Even if it isn't a dreamhouse.) Always being willing to lend a hand, and accept one, and being able, and wanting to break the routine every once in awhile. Self confidence is a little harder. If people are constantly putting you down and telling you you're never going to be anything special in life, you may not have much confidence in yourself. Fortunately there are a lot of people who would just say screw you, I can be what ever I want to be, and nothing is going to stand in my way. I like those people.

------------------
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just don't have to listen.

07-09-2001, 01:38 PM	#5
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 61 Posts: 7,387	Success in life: []Doing what you LOVE to do rather than what you think others expect of you[]Loving the "wrong" people when you know in your heart and your head that you are RIGHT[]In all places and in all things and in all times, being true to YOURSELF[]Having the guts to stand up for WHAT's right, not WHO's right[]Living "free" rather than living "safe"[]Striving for the Good, the True, and the Beautiful in all things, and not pausing for the "nice", "convenient", or "pretty"[]Experiencing all of your feelings, thoughts, and desires[]Dying with no regrets.[/list] That would make a full, successful life in my book.

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07-02-2001, 06:59 PM	#1
Ramon de Ramon y Ramon Red Dragon Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Age: 53 Posts: 1,517	Before answering that question I must of course first define success. I'll give a seemingly modest definition: being successful in life means attaining contentment with yourself and the circumstances you live in. But please feel free to replace that with your own, maybe much more ambitious definition od success in life. The "what" in the question refers to any one or any combination of factors like character traits, social background, luck, coincidence, the right role models, etc. ... To give my answer: for me the single one most influential factor for having success in life is one that I would categorize as a character trait: self-confidence ! That leads of course directly to the next question: what determines the individual level of self-confidence ? Is it mainly predetermined already at birth (genetics) or acquired through your upbringing (social factors) or earned as a result of your own individual achievements over the course of your entire life ? And does something as monolithic and simple as one personal level of self-confidence even exist or does our self-confidence rather vary very much with the different areas (learning, mating, socializing, physical activities, etc.) in which it is tested ? Or do we all rather dispose of a base level of self-confidence (maybe better labelled self-assurance) and additionally of varying levels of "area-confidences" ? I don't really know, but maybe someone here does and dares to enlighten us with a little essay on that ... ------------------ So long ! R³ - proud to be the official spokesman for the most noble Lady Bilqis, Desert Rose of Ironworks Btw, the cow is queuing in the slaughterhouse right now !

07-03-2001, 10:09 PM	#2
John D Harris Ninja Storm Shadow Join Date: March 27, 2001 Location: Northport,Alabama, USA Age: 63 Posts: 3,577	Dadgomit Ramon, you had to make it a serious question. My answer was going to be "blind ass luck". seriously self confidence, and dogmatic determination get my vote. ------------------ "the memories of a man in his old age, are deeds of a man in his prime"

07-04-2001, 05:10 AM	#3
WOLFGIR Bastet - Egyptian Cat Goddess Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Sweden Age: 51 Posts: 3,450	Buggerit Ramon x3 !! Hehe, me brain is already cooking in this heat.. On your well speculation on the selfconfidence, I think that selfconfidence is one key of it, but also i believe that what people calls "luck", timing and the ability to catch oopotunities that arises is also vital. Self confidence is built on the flow of everything you mentioned, growth, social standards, learning, studies and also gut-bloddy-feeling to dare and to take chances, espacially if they come through. If you are on a rooll your selfconfidence is good and you seem to pll more things off but one setback can hurt the momentum too.. Buggerit!, me brain is smoking, hey cold beer to the flaming wolf!!! Aiyeehh.... ------------------ Yawning lazywolf dreaming about nice little fairies...zzzzz Wolfgirs lair once-upon-a-paper

07-09-2001, 11:18 PM	#6
bilqis Symbol of Cyric Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: WA, USA Age: 68 Posts: 1,328	Hmmmmm... tough question there oh spokesmen sirs. Hmmmmmm... a successful life. Well, I mostly agree with Sazerac tho not entirely. Maybe I'll put it in my own words... A successful life means, to me, that: * You can forgive yourself for your mistakes, and for not being perfect * You work to the best of your abilities at the time to accomplish as much of what needs doing as you can. (there are times when the best we can accomplish is breathing... but that is success for that time!) * You do as much as you can to make the lives of others better * You try to not be judgemental, or unkind, yet honest & honorable in your dealings with others * You are friendly and kind with most people. * You accept help and encouragement when you need it. And of course, give it when it's needed. * Self-love, self-TRUST are essential, in my opinion. Only with those elements will self-confidence arise from each learning experience throughout your life. Well, I'm tired, so this is the best I can come up with today. Good luck in your quest Ramon! ------------------ Having abandoned my search for truth, I am now looking for a good fantasy. Thank you to the kind R³ for being such eloquent & witty spokesmen.

07-13-2001, 01:01 PM	#7
Moridin Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,735	A simple success in life is being true to your morals! I see too many people state their morals as what they live by and then turn around and sacrafice those morals to either 'fit in' or 'have fun'! Don't have morals that you are willing to compromise at a convienent time. For a long time in my life I would live my life according to other people's view of me rather my view of myself. I would compromise myself and my beliefs just to be accepted. I have found out recently that this may help me fit in, but in the long-run it is destructive to me and ultimately will make me nothing more than an image of other people's narrow sight. If you can stay true to yourself, your morals, and your beliefs then I really think you are successful! ------------------ Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig

07-18-2001, 04:29 PM	#8
Redblueflare Galvatron Join Date: May 9, 2001 Location: The backwoods in Georgia sigh Age: 41 Posts: 2,151	What makes a person sucessful? Being happy. A loving family. A place to stay (Even if it isn't a dreamhouse.) Always being willing to lend a hand, and accept one, and being able, and wanting to break the routine every once in awhile. Self confidence is a little harder. If people are constantly putting you down and telling you you're never going to be anything special in life, you may not have much confidence in yourself. Fortunately there are a lot of people who would just say screw you, I can be what ever I want to be, and nothing is going to stand in my way. I like those people. ------------------ Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just don't have to listen.

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