Ralph Waldo Emerson's Success: The Definition Of Success

Success has several meanings in life. Although not everyone’s the same, we all want the same thing. So, for my definition of success, I will use the definition from Dictionary.com, which is “the accomplishment of ones goal.” As a society, we hold individualism important and see goals as being personal.
As said previously, success is individualized. What one person dreams of succeeding can be much different than another person. For example, going to college could mean you are succeeding in your life and farthing your education. On the other hand, success could be measured in the smaller moments as well. Riding a bike without training wheels as a child or learning to read can be one of our many successes in our lives. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in his poem, “To Laugh Often and Much”,
What is Success?
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;

Yes, Dictionary.com says the definition is “the accomplishment of ones goal.” But, is it really? People set goals everyday, and sometimes without noticing it. From going to college to just making someone smile, goals are everywhere. Even though some goals might not be achieved as one wants it to happen, success is still present by the impact that person has made on the world. It’s in the little aspects of our lives that we most succeed. Do not forget that failure is a learning experience, something misunderstood by society. In all, succeeding in life is not difficult as long as you know the little things count, everything has risks, and failure is okay.
Works Cited

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “To Laugh Often And Much.” PoemHunter.com, 9 Mar. 2015, www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-laugh-often-and-much/.

Estrem, Pauline. “Why Failure Is Good for Success.” Success, 25 Aug. 2016,