THE COMMON take these days, especially among the younger set, defines success partly as acquiring tangible things. In a study involving this particular set working in BPOs (business process outsourcing) with emphasis on call centers, one of its more popular sub-set industries, the appeal of a fast buck among the new gen is perceptible, and as a result, it’s where most of them flock to.
The common finding is this: the perception of success is measurable by something one can wrap one’s fingers around. As our economics teacher once mentioned, this includes “having money for things, a car, a large house… ”. And quickly, too.
Whether the study on the broad industry, which is the BPO, i.e., call centers, as common ground for the new generation(s) becomes refutable or not, it is still far from complete. It’s a mention of what success means to the young that is the only inclusive information being mentioned here.
Moving ahead, the stoic philosopher Epictetus, when once asked how to spot and define a rich man, said, “he who is content.”
This here is important, in the sense that anyone, most notably the younger generations, should try to break the mold of following the parade, and instead stop believing the grass is always greener on the neighbor’s side of the fence.
As we all know, Erma Bombeck, an American writer, had countered in her book, that’s it’s only true if it’s especially near the septic tank.
The pursuit of what success doesn’t come with a set of instructions. Fine-tune the search to a successful or worthwhile life instead, and just trust and follow your own lead.
Recalling another meme from long ago, when someone tries to talk you out of your dreams, just insist, bees do not waste time explaining to flies why honey is better than what it loves to eat.
But setting aside the subject of the number two, there’s a quote that comes to mind, and it’s a favorite.
The passage is culled from Walden, a collection of 18 essays by Henry David Thoreau. He writes, ‘If a man does not keep in step with his companions, it is maybe because he hears a different drummer. Let him listen to the music he hears, no matter how distant or far away.’
Lastly, since it’s to appear like raining quotes and more quotes, a Tibetan proverb to end the downpour: the oxen may be slow, but the earth is patient.
