On Success and Following your Heart...

suc·cess

/səkˈsɛs/ Show Spel

–noun

1. 

the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.

2.

the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.

3.

a successful performance or achievement.

4.

a person or thing that is successful.

These are the results of a search I did on dictionary.com for the meaning of the word "success".

Now, getting to the point.

Success is not an absolute term at all. It is a relative one.

Success is not defined on terms set by society and other people; we need to create own definition of the term, one that gives us peace, satisfaction and happiness. We live in a world where we’re expected to adhere to certain norms and standards; we’re supposed to meet certain expectations in order to be declared a success; we’re judged according to standards set by people who think they matter. So it’s a matter of pride to do well at school, gain admission to an IIT, an IIM or a may be a good medical school and secure a placement at a firm that gives you the best "package" among your pals. A trend in today's youth is to adhere to these conventional rules that the society has made for them.

If you take an alternative path, you’re pitied or looked down upon, unless you achieve worldwide success i.e. an artist, writer or sportsperson who aspires to take the road less traveled does not gain recognition or support unless they become renowned in the field they’ve chosen. The point I’m trying to make here is that your personal happiness is linked inextricably with your idea of success. So if you define success by society’s or your parents’ (or anyone else’s) standards, you’re never going to be happy unless you reach those standards. And though your heart may lie elsewhere, you’re going to ruin your life by trying to achieve something that’s beyond your reach, just because you think that that’s what success is.

 A similar case is about the students who are "building" hobbies now, so that they have something to write on their resumes. This is a stupid practice(no offense intended for anyone in particular). Faking being somebody else will not lead you anywhere. By the time we are 30, we will feel completely lost and the chances of finding a way then will be a lot more difficult than it is today.

Dissatisfaction with life and an emotional bankruptcy, at some point later in life, can prove to be very expensive even if you have a big and heavy bank account.

  
It is not too late to find out what your heart has been secretly whispering in your ears for a long time. Listen to your heart, and find your calling.

I will end this at a positive note.

You are all brilliant people out there. You can do well, even a job, you hardly care about.

But, as a great man once said, when skill and heart work together, you can expect a master piece.

Awaiting one from you!