To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the respect of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to give of oneself; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition, to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier: this is to have succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Would give more than a penny for your thoughts here ER... to better see the context this inspiring piece is posted in...
ReplyDeleteWell, I may not be all that intelligent, but from what I've seen so far, you have my respect. And it sounds like you have a healthy child, also some French tour bus victims are surely breathing a little easier thanks to your help, judging from other comments there are some honest critics out there who appreciate you, your blog is singing with exultation... so, imho, on those counts, you are succeeding right and left... oh yeah, and I could hear you even over here in France laughing with enthusiasm when you wrote that unforgettable piece about porta-potties. (and not tipping over while in one is a major criteria of success) :-D
Good aspirations and a succint evaluation of one's life. I hope I have managed to attain some of those goals.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, so many of the bloggers I read seem to be living their lives in similar ways. I wonder if those of us who blog...at least in the horse world...are just Emerson kind of people?
This is a really thought provoking piece and holds a beautiful set of principles to live by, cheers for sharing!
ReplyDeleteEmerson has been spying on you.
ReplyDeleteI second Owen's sentiments!
Thanks Owen, Jean and Watercat. I have had this quote on my refrigerator door for a decade. It is one of my comforts. In a region where so much emphasis is put on monetary wealth as a measure of success, I like this reminder of the humanity of the real world. I agree that there are many other measures of success and these I can aspire to.
ReplyDeleteMy last week has been too crazy to focus on writing much of my own so I borrowed from someone else.
Jean: I am continually noticing what a nurturing place the blogosphere is. Not just horse people but all over.
Greetings ER! Was steered your way by Owen...and could not believe that this defintion of success was the first thing i read this evening, This has always been my favorite RWE quote...I look forward to exploring your blog...Love your title ! Makes me smile wide...
ReplyDeleteWelcome Lily, thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDelete