We all strive for success in our lives. It can come in many forms from our biggest lifetime dreams to the small daily achievements that make us feel fulfilled and happy. According to freedictionary.com, success is defined as the following:
suc·cess (sk-ss)
n.
1. The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted: attributed their success in business to hard work.
2.
a. The gaining of fame or prosperity: an artist spoiled by success.
b. The extent of such gain.
3. One that is successful: The plan was a success.
4. Obsolete A result or an outcome.
[Latin successus, from past participle of succdere, to succeed; see succeed.]
Some people sit around and simply daydream about success while others think and plan and work hard to become successful in whatever it is they want to achieve. I fall into the second category because I have always been a thinker, a planner, and a hard worker. Not all of my dreams have come true, of course, but that fact has never stopped me or even slowed me down from continuing to dream bigger and work harder. How would you define your success so far in your life? Below is a poem I wrote that expresses my feelings about the true meaning of success and what we must do in order to achieve it. 
By Randi D. Ward
We often measure success according to the amount of money we make
Instead of the hard work we must do or the risks we sometimes must take.
Success is a very difficult thing to achieve and even harder to measure
So we must always appreciate it and consider it as a great treasure.
Success can come in many forms, some huge and some so small.
Success can be quickly climbing that competitive corporate ladder so tall
Or making the all-time, highest record sale in a famous store chain.
Maybe it is being able to parachute successfully from an airplane.
A student considers himself successful to make an A on a hard test
And a teacher feels successful when her students do their best.
A mother feels successful when her children grow up to be kind and good
And a religious leader feels successful when his followers live the pure life they should.
Success is defined by people in many a different and unusual way.
The important thing is to find a way to make this success always stay
And help to create more and more success in our next goal or conquest
And to enable us to be proud once more because we have done our best. 
So we must dream bigger, work harder, follow our hearts, and see what we can achieve.
Nothing is ever really impossible if in ourselves we truly and honestly believe.
Randi D. Ward
June 28, 2013
