In Others' Words: Success

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."~Maya Angelou, author

I read this quote and found myself smiling. Why? I like Maya Angelou's take on success. It's not all about striving to achieve some magical mark that declares to the world, "I am successful!"

No. Her definition of success is all about embracing who I am. Liking myself--imperfections included. Liking what I do and how I do it--knowing that I'll make mistakes.

Maya Angelou's perspective grants me breathing space to be real. I don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not (perfect). I don't have to invest my time in doing something that I'm not good at to please someone else. I don't have to strive for an unattainable goal (perfection).

In Your Words: When do you feel successful? Are you living up to someone else's definition of success--or your own?