When I was younger, I used to think success was defined by history books. Unless you we’re preserved through the ages, you couldn’t truly call yourself a success. Clearly, this approach was flawed, but as a kid it made sense. I was a kid, and kids are dumb. I didn’t really begin to question this until watching the Justice League: Unlimited cartoon, as ironic as it is. Lex Luthor has a quote in there stating “The truth is, for all my struggles to make my mark in life, for all I’ve accomplished, in just a few short generations my name will be forgotten. Even the greatest of us can’t compete with time… and death.” It’s quite the powerful quote. If the great Lex Luthor has no hopes of being remembered, what hope do we plebians have? This interaction has lived in my head for years now.

As I grow older, I’ve come to change my belief of success. Instead of being defined by history books, I believe success is defined by the impact you have on the people around you. The people you love, the people you care about, and the people you help. You can succeeed by changing the life of one person, and that is enough. It can be your family, it can be your friends, your coworkers, or even strangers. Community is what matters, and the impact you have on it.

Thanks for taking the time to find my little nugget of the internet.