Success and What We Leave Behind

"The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds. We are visitors on this planet. We are here for ninety, a hundred years at the very most. During that period, we must try to do something good, something useful with our lives." — Dalai Lama

For centuries, success has been defined by how much we accumulate. Power and success have been intimately connected to wealth, influence, and status—the ability to acquire, hoard, and control. The "successful" in our society are often those with the most possessions, whose wealth speaks for them even after they’re gone. We preserve their mansions and their names, but rarely do those become anything more than a museum to their wealth. But is this truly success? Or is it simply another way of distancing ourselves from each other, to divide use between the poor and the wealthy?

In contrast, many cultures and communities offer a more interconnected vision of success—one that values life, balance, and community over possessions and individual gain. Their perspectives call us to reflect on what it would mean to live not just for ourselves, but for each other and for future generations.

In many communities originating in the Americas, for example, success is not about personal gain but about giving back and supporting the community. Many First Peoples of the Americas hold a perspective that deeply values harmony with the land and respect for every living being. The Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfeet) people teach that Ihtsi-pai-tapi-yopa, the Creator, made all living things equal. Humans are not seen as superior to other life forms but rather a part of a vast and interconnected web of existence. Success, in this view, is measured not by what is possessed, but by how well the individual honors their role in this sacred web. Life is a cycle, where death is understood as part of life's continuity; when life ends, the body returns to nature, sustaining new growth just as it once sustained us. This reverence for life—and for death—reminds us that success is rooted in balance and in how we care for the Earth and for one another. We need to refocus on the lives we live here on earth, on the lives we will leave for our children and grandchildren.

In African traditions, similar values resonate. Many cultures across Africa define success not by individual wealth but by the well-being of the family, the clan, and the community. The concept of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—is an expression of this interconnectedness. Ubuntu speaks to the idea that true success cannot exist in isolation; it is achieved only when the health, harmony, and prosperity of the community are uplifted. In this understanding, to live successfully is to live with empathy and to commit to practices that strengthen the bonds between people, animals, and the land itself. This vision of collective well-being over individual gain speaks to a profound truth that modern capitalist ideals often overlook.

In many Asian cultures, success is often defined by living a life of balance, wisdom, and respect for tradition. In Taoism, for example, success is not a matter of accumulating wealth but of cultivating inner harmony and simplicity. Taoist principles teach that nature holds the wisdom to guide us; if we live in accordance with natural rhythms, maintaining simplicity and peace in our lives, then we find fulfillment. In this sense, real success lies in understanding that the pursuit of material wealth alone often creates inner chaos rather than peace. The Dalai Lama and countless other spiritual leaders echo this wisdom, reminding us that the truest wealth is found in our capacity to love, to be compassionate, and to live in harmony with the world around us.

These cultures and others share a common thread: success is defined not by possession but by connection, responsibility, and reciprocity. When we measure success by what we give back, how we treat others, and how well we care for the Earth, we honor a vision of humanity that values interdependence over individualism.

Yet, for centuries, many of us have dismissed these perspectives as naive or outdated, convinced that wealth, and the status it brings to many, are the ultimate goals. We have even dismissed those who live according to those principles as if their beliefs make them less than fully human, labeling those who continue to live in relationship with the land as pre-industrial, using the term like a slur. But as we face the consequences of this limited vision—environmental devastation, social disconnection, and spiritual poverty—we are called to consider the wisdom of the world we have ignored for so long.

Becoming something new is not just an individual journey; it’s a responsibility shared by all of humanity. Our planet faces crises that demand a new definition of success. We must become better stewards of our resources or risk authoring our own extinction. To survive and to thrive, we need to redefine success itself. Is it solely about wealth and individual power, or does success emerge from our commitment to live compassionately, fostering relationships that uplift each other and the Earth?

Embracing this perspective doesn’t mean rejecting all personal ambition; it means allowing our goals to be in harmony with the well-being of others. This is the heart of learning how to become resilient humans living on a resilient planet—the ability to adapt, grow, and respond to changing circumstances without losing sight of our deeper values. This journey requires courage and a willingness to question old assumptions.

Maya Angelou reminds us, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Now that we know the costs of our current path, we have an obligation to do better—to become peacemakers, healers, and restorers—not just wealthy. This commitment is what will sustain us as we strive to create a more compassionate world, where success is not measured by what we have but by how we serve each other, love one another, and love our planet.

As we move forward, let each of us ask ourselves: What am I doing today to contribute to a future where success is redefined? How can I honor the wisdom of those who teach us that life is about connection, balance, and responsibility? Even small steps toward this vision—acts of kindness, respect for nature, support for one another—bring us closer to a true and lasting success. For as the Dalai Lama said, we are only visitors on this planet, here for a short time. Let us make our time here meaningful in a way that transcends the number in our bank accounts or the diamonds on our fingers.

Humanity has reached the moon, developed vaccines, and shown incredible potential. We can become something better. That is the true path to peace, love, joy, and enlightenment—not extravagant wealth.

Which path will you choose?

kfr, 13 November 2024 all rights reserved.