To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
I came across this quote today and was struck not only by how much I agree, but also by how successful I feel when measuring my life using this as a yardstick.
Heartfelt thanks go out to all of the people in my life who have taught me all the lessons I needed to learn, including the "bad" ones, to get to this point. I am profoundly grateful for having a life I can love and such wonderful people to share it with.
