Traditionally, the formula we have been taught is that our success lies in another person’s failure. For me to succeed, you must fail. For me to come ahead, I must leave you behind. That is why we conduct competitions and identify and declare winners.
Money, fame, beauty, health, a job- these are the things we usually identify as the signs of successful people. There is no argument that all these are necessary in life. But the person who possesses all these does not necessarily become a winner. A person who is able to adopt a positive attitude and approach even while living through negative experiences and circumstances is the real winner.
If, in situations where anyone could mentally break down, a person is still able to radiate rays of optimism, that person is successful. If one has the strength to rise again even after falling many times and being trampled upon by many, that person is successful.
If a person is able to believe in themselves and feel respect for their own abilities, that person is successful. The one who realizes that there is still more to be gained than what has been lost is successful. Success is everyone’s right. It is just that society does not consider everyone a winner.
Awards, certificates and cash prizes alone are not the signs of success in life. Successes are relative. This is where Punyalan’s question from the Malayalam film ‘Pranchiyettan’ should come into our memory: “Were all those who were thought to be successful truly successful?”
