"Living is not merely breathing; it is casting light into the lives of others."
Since the dawn of human civilization, various definitions have been formulated for the word 'success.'
Society often measures a person's success solely by their wealth, comfort, position, power, and social status.
However, from a spiritual and noble philosophical perspective, success possesses a completely different dimension.
The philosophy that "Success is not in how much you have elevated your own life it lies in how much of a positive change you bring to this world through your success," speaks of human evolution from selfishness to altruism.
It is essential for us to deeply understand the profound life philosophies reflected in this statement and their societal implications.
Self elevation refers to an individual raising their own economic and social status through hard work and talent.
This is not wrong rather, it serves as the starting point of life.
However, the true philosophy of life lies in the realization that this alone cannot be the ultimate goal.
When a person focuses only on elevating their own life, ego and selfishness rear their heads.
This isolates the individual from society.
Conversely, when one intends to bring about change in the lives of others through their success, they expand their soul.
There, the entirety of humanity becomes their family.
The happiness gained from accumulating material wealth and possessions is temporary.
But the deep satisfaction derived from knowing that a small action of ours has brought a positive change in society is permanent.
This philosophy forms the very foundation of true success.
World history never remembers those who lived only for themselves and built their own mansions.
Instead, it has inscribed in golden letters the names of those who dedicated their success and lives to others.
Mahatma Gandhi did not think of elevating only his personal life with the Barrister degree he earned in London instead, he used his stature to fight for the rights of the oppressed and the freedom of the nation.
Mother Teresa renounced the comforts of her life and made lifelong service to the destitute and lepers her mission.
If great personalities like Nelson Mandela and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had thought only of elevating themselves, they would have faded away into some obscure page of history.
However, because they used their success as a tool to create a positive change in society, they are celebrated as guides by the world today.
An individual's success can create a positive impact on society in various ways.
When a person reaches a high position through their knowledge and hard work, passing that knowledge on to the next generation is crucial.
Providing education to underprivileged children and offering proper guidance can strengthen the very foundation of society.
Similarly, when an entrepreneur does not focus solely on corporate profits but also lifts the livelihood of their employees and engages in initiatives like adopting villages through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), their success transforms into the success of the entire society.
In today's era, our successful living must not exploit nature.
Implementing positive changes in our daily lives such as planting saplings, protecting water bodies, and keeping our surroundings clean is the greatest good we can do for future generations.
Today's consumerist culture has pushed humans into a fierce rat race.
Who earns more money, who drives luxury vehicles, and who owns the most property have become the flawed benchmarks of success.
In this environment, this philosophy offers us an opportunity for deep self-introspection.
Each of us must look within and ask: "Is anyone other than my family benefiting from the height I have reached today?" and "Has my work or profession made this world even a slightly better place today than it was yesterday?"
When we have positive answers to these questions, it means we are journeying toward true success.
We must realize that rather than running to win first place in a selfish race, it is far nobler to run while lifting our fellow human beings along the way.
The thought that changing the world is possible only for great leaders and billionaires should not exist within us.
Every individual can create major changes within their own small circle.
Simple acts like behaving kindly to those around us, helping our fellow human beings, and listening to those under stress are also positive changes.
Values like avoiding corruption, performing one's duty honestly, and not deceiving others will create a major peaceful revolution in society.
Dedicating at least a few hours a week, without expecting anything in return, to social welfare work or shelters for the destitute completely enhances the meaning of our lives.
The law of nature that seeds do not live for themselves, but bury themselves in the soil to become trees that offer shade and fruit to others applies equally to human life.
Success is not a destination that stops at a single point it is a noble, continuous journey.
There is no pride in how grand a mansion we live in what matters is how many people's tears we have wiped away and how many smiles we have brought to people's faces through our lives.
Our talent, capability, and the success we achieve should not be mere ornaments that decorate only ourselves, but lamps that dispel the darkness of this society.
Only then will our birth and life attain fulfillment.
With this philosophical understanding of what true, noble success is, let us each steer our lives along a righteous path and bring honor to the world.
With Love
Sakthi Sakthithasan
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