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 Success. What does that mean to you? Are you successful? So many of my private counseling clients doubt that they are really successful--whether at parenting, keeping a marriage alive, at work, or at life in general. I find that these people doubting their worth are defining success in a narrow, perhaps even negative, way. Some people define their success by money or power or prestige or perfection. Not my way of defining success--nor that of Bessie A. Stanley who wrote a poem I often quote:
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Success
To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one’s self;
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 because you have lived---
This is to have succeeded.
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I’m a success. I hope you’re thinking you are too. If not, please reread this and reflect and be kind to yourself. Until next month…
Copyright ©2007, Sharon Scott. No reproduction without written permission from author.
P.S. Please see my other column, “The Counselor’s Corner,” about peer pressure and holding children accountable for their actions.
Sharon Scott, LPC, LMFT, has been making a difference in peoples’ lives for 30 years though her international keynotes and workshops, her eight award-winning books, and her private counseling services. Five of her books are a charming series for elementary-age children that she “co-authored” with her savvy cocker spaniel Nicholas. Each beautifully illustrated book teaches a valuable living skill such as managing emotions in Life’s Not Always Fair, building character in Nicholas’ Values, and making wise choices in Too Smart for Trouble. Sharon’s best-seller for teens is How to Say No and Keep Your Friends, 2nd Ed. Her books are available from HRD Press, 800-822-2801 or www.hrdpress.com/SharonScott . For more information on Sharon’s many workshop topics that she can bring to your child’s school or community, please see her website at www.SharonScott.com.
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Books That Work! By Sharon Scott
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Family counselor Sharon Scott is the author of 8 books including this delightful series for children that is "co-authored" by her savvy cocker spaniel Nicholas who makes learning valuable life skills fun.
 Too Smart for Trouble, a best-selling, award-winning book, teaches children to think on their own and how to say no when asked to do something wrong.
 Not Better... Not Worse... Just Different is must reading for children to learn to be more sensitive to others, avoid bullying and know how to handle teasing.
 Life's Not Always Fair is a child's guide for managing emotions and learning to soothe oneself when mad, sad, scared or confused.
Nicholas' Values is a delightful guide helping children develop good character traits such as honesty, confidence, sharing and so much more!
Too Cool for Drugs helps children learn why and how to say no to drugs--drug education must begin in the home at an early age!
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My daughter (10 yrs. old) found your site while conducting research on Emerson for school, and wondered if you knew the truth behind the age long error. Hallmark, I think, even continues to credit the wrong person.
Great website! :)
"Thanks to you and your daughter for providing this information as I've seen this poem attributed to Emerson my entire life! The poem has a number of variations in different texts, but Bessie A. Stanley is considered to be the original author (and the poem appears on her tombstone). So I'm reflecting this new information in the text of my original column. I love my readers! For more information, please see: http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Sui-Generis/Emerson/success.htm . Sharon Scott