By that definition, I know very few people (myself included) who are successful—people who chase financial and career achievements but are never quite fulfilled with their circumstances despite accomplishing various goals.
If his definition of success is true then it wouldn’t depend so much on reaching particular benchmarks in life or acquiring anything in particular, but on shifting one’s internal perspective to find joy in whatever one’s circumstances are.
Life could still be full of goals, but not defined by achievement of them. Success would be accessible in the here and now and not dependent on future circumstances.
It wouldn’t depend on anything other than one’s choice to embrace what life has to offer, today, as good enough.
“Huh,” I said.
As I took in his relaxed and content demeanor sitting in the sun, reading a book, and soaking in life’s passing minutes, I thought: I have much to learn from people who are different than me, and I have new definitions to write about success.