“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”
– Anne Sweeney, an American businesswoman, co-chair of Disney Media, and President of Disney Channel from 1996-2014.

When I traveled with the evangelist sometimes if I knew there was a better organist I would step aside and let them play.  One day another musician came to me and said, “never take a back seat at the organ, you are just as good as the others”.  I didn’t feel like I was a success, I was measuring my success against those of others.  I never stepped aside ever again to another musician.

I have most of my life compared myself against others.  I always felt like I just didn’t measure up.  I was at a Preacher’s convention, it was a morning service and there was no musician.  They asked if there was a piano player available.  I raised my hand but I was ignored.  The host told me I didn’t look good enough.  I didn’t have a suit back then because my parents could not afford me the luxury.  Those words from that host stuck with me for quite some time.

“Being a successful person is not necessarily defined by what you have achieved, but by what you have overcome.”- Fannie Flagg

Several years ago after being in treatment I finally came to the realization that I was killing myself trying to be the most popular guy in the room.  News flash, I quit the popularity race!

So dear reader, success is in the eye of the beholder!