Opinions are divided on what constitutes success. Some hold the view that success is shaped by individual earned wealth, where those making a lot of money are the most successful people. However, others opine that those who have huge contributions to society, like scientists or teachers, are more triumphant. While acknowledging rationales behind these beliefs, I am convinced that success is defined by how people feel, not by how the surroundings view them.
It is true that a plethora of people are striving to work and earn money to free themselves from monetary constraints. Financial freedom is synonymous with the fact that individuals can pursue their interests and lead better lives. At the same time, money also works as a tool to validate a person’s societal status. There is no denying people who make a lot of money may have every likelihood of exceptional experiences in many aspects. This can be seen from healthcare to educational sectors, where wealthy parents can have more competitive opportunities for themselves or their family to undergo better services. The belief that money helps people to gain respect from others, and the paramount importance of materialistic needs in our daily lives, renders a strong ground for the profound connection between making a huge amount of money and being successful.
Thinking that positive contributions to society can decide the success of a person may appear to be plausible. It is undeniable that people who work and devote to the development of the community are highly respectable. Their dedication exists as the foundation for generations to grow, laying a deep and especially positive impression on others and thereby making up a long-lasting success. Evidence to suggest this is that many books for children depict ideal images of scientists or famous people from the past as the worth-to-follow examples, emphasizing that they are exemplary successful figures. To name but a few, Marie Curie, who devoted her life to researching and then passed down due to the effects from radiation, albeit not wealthy, is still considered as one of the most successful women ever for her great contributions to our modern science.
In conclusion, it is understandable why there are separated views on the definition of success. However, it is unfair to say that people who make a lot of money have no contributions to society and vice versa. I am of the opinion that no matter how much a citizen earns or how great his contribution is, success lies in whether people feel contented and satisfied or not, and it is happiness that takes hold of the decisive keys shaping successful people.