Defining Success On Your Own Terms Through "Failure"

I just had to share. I hope this inspires you as much as my husband inspires me everyday.

My husband's family often see him (my husband) as the black sheep of the family for not fitting in with their standards of success. What makes it even more sad was he was "the smart one", the one with most potential. He didn't go to law school; he didn't even finish college. He chose to work for non-profit organizations before getting a "real job". And after several years of being in the corporate rat race, he left all that to strike out on his own. He did this to be a stay at home dad; he takes our daughter to school everyday, is part of the PTA and he makes her lunches.

Sure, he's not a lawyer like the rest of his family. He doesn't have the big bucks or the prestige of having a title attached to his name. But what makes him successful, and different from the rest of his family, is he is not afraid of failure. He's not afraid of being labeled as one or making mistakes. When he does make mistakes, he brushes them off, moves on and makes the most of what he has.

Most of his cousins, despite being lawyers, still live with their parents because they're afraid of living on their own.
Most of his cousins, despite earning more, are often broke before the next paycheck arrives.
Most of his family, despite having successful practices, hardly have time for themselves and the people they love.
Most of his family are stressed and depressed. And to deal with stress and depression, they drink.

We're not rich but we're independent. We earn just enough to get by and have a bit left over for savings. We have a business that's growing slowly but surely. My husband is healthy and happy to be such a big part of our daughter's life. He helps out other fathers in our church. And all of this happened because he decided to live on his own terms. He chose to follow his own model of success, and not what his family or everyone else thinks he should follow.

Failure is a subjective label. Find success in your own terms. It's not about money or prestige. It's about having everything you need to live a happy, fulfilled, and full of purpose.