AES297 How Do You Measure Success In This Life

How do you measure success in this life?

And who should decide if you fail?

Do life's sweet temptations guide you along?

Or in the end does your conscience prevail?

Is life just a game that you play every day?

Bending the rules for yourself?

Desperately chasing material goals

To the ruin of everything else.

Do you cherish the people around you?

Or do you squander the love that they share.

Do you take time to notice the efforts they make?

Or do you treat them as if they aren't there?

Do you wake up each morning just grateful to be?

Thanking God when you open your eyes?

And how many dawns do you gaze at the sky,

And stop to behold the sun rise?

How many moments in the course of your day

Do you treasure each second of time?

Embracing the sad and sweet that is there,

With the whole of your heart, soul and mind.

And despite any anger you suffer inside,

From the hurt and betrayals of life,

Do you manage to keep your own self-respect?

Or are you led by your own foolish pride?

Do you live by the motto forgive and forget,

Or consumed by the need for revenge?

Do you try every day to live open in truth,

Or is your life just a game of pretend?

For those who are young and new to this world,

So filled with your hopes and your dreams,

Take my advice, don't complicate life.

It is simpler than sometimes it seems.

For when you have reached the twilight of life,

All the answers are finally revealed.

And that searching and struggle that left you confused

With hindsight becomes crystal clear.

Hold fast to that childhood passion and awe.

Cling to each moment you get.

Let your heart feel completely each feeling you have,

And give the people you love all your best.

Don't waste or misuse this wonderful gift.

Don't surrender or grow too complacent.

Remember in the end it's all up to you,

And life can be all that you make it.                                    -Patricia A. Fleming-