Pearls Before Swine
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I disagree with the guru’s implication that you need to be a “success” in life in order to be happy. The comic reminds me of Stephen Covey’s,
Nothing is worse than climbing the ladder of success, only at the top to find it is leaning against the wrong building.
Being “successful” in the conventional use of the word doesn’t mean the person will be happy at the end.
Bronnie Ware was a palliative nurse and wrote a book entitled, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. She said those regrets were:
- I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
- I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
- I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
- I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
- I wish that I had let myself be happier.
So I agree with Pig about not focusing on worldly success, but that doesn’t mean not trying things and seeing what works and what doesn’t. If it doesn’t work it’s not a failure, it’s just more knowledge.
If Plan A doesn’t work there are 25 more letters in the alphabet.
Anyway, that’s what makes me happy. What about you?
March 28, 2026
I agree, success, as others see it, doesn’t mean we will be happy. I do know that what made me happy ten, twenty, 40 years ago no longer does. And the life I live now I would not have been happy living it before the age I am.
I think as we age, we change and so does what makes us happy..
Yes, we are always changing. And it gets faster and faster as we get older.
Success does not equal happiness in my world. Happiness is a state of mind not a rung on a ladder. You can be just as happy with your feet planted firmly on the ground if you make up your mind to be.
🙂
…when I was in the landscape business, digging a hole was the only job where you start at the top and work your way down.
🙂
🙂
Happy and successful don’t necessarily go together!
Agreed! 🙂
I agree with you
🙂
I’ve enjoyed some wonderful workplaces — but totally regret the last 5 years, compromising my own peace of mind for the almighty $.
How relatable, what Sandra said (about what makes her happy). It feels pretty great not to remain static.
I agree. 🙂
I know a lot of men and women who are very successful but yet, they are miserable. what good is it to be successful and yet have to go to bed and wake up being miserable in life?
Agreed. 🙂
I agree too. I wonder if it is something we realize more as we age?
It is for a lot of people.
That’s an interesting one. I do like what you said “If Plan A doesn’t work there are 25 more letters in the alphabet.”
I didn’t originate that saying, but I love it and have adopted it. 🙂
Before I even read your comments on this, I thought that for me, happiness does NOT depend on success!! If it did, many of us would be in bad shape. Life should not be about a string of successes. In fact there are many people who badly neglect their families trying to find success in their jobs and other endeavors. This, to me, is really a failure.
I agree!
What makes me happy is staying away from judgmental people.
Amen to that!
Happiness, real happiness does not depend on circumstances, weather or wealth. We have to create our own happiness by appreciating our life.
Yes. 🙂