Success for Dummies

According to Veblen success equates nothing more than mere wealth. In this case he is talking about material wealth, or to be simple about things; money. Veblen is implying that success in life is basically having a lot of money. Although money, in my personal opinion, will make life better, and probably more enjoyable, it doesn't serve as the measuring stick of success. I take that back, it shouldn’t serve as success’ measuring stick. Veblen does a good job of describing society today. For people in this day and age, money is success. The problem I find with this idea is that it is limiting. If money is success, does that mean nothing else can make us successful? The Western culture has on one-track mind, so to speak. Our lives are focused around money. When all we strive for is economic success we so easily look past life’s simple successes.

To better illustrate what I’m trying to say I’ll give an example. Let’s say there are two families, the Foster’s and the Lane’s. In the Foster family both parents work full time; the father is a lawyer, mother a financial advisor. They make the big bucks; therefore they are successful, right? Now let’s take a look closer. Jake and Samantha, their two teenaged children, wish they had a family life. Dad is always at work, mom is always too busy. It’s rare to ever even have all four members of the family at home at the same time, and the few times everyone is together an argument or fight of some sort seems to be the entertainment for the night. But this family is successful because they have money, of course. Now let’s look at the Lane family. Mr. Lane lost his job a year ago due to the struggling economy. He has been searching since but he can find nothing. Mrs. Lane struggles to maintain a part-time job as a substitute teacher. Their two children go to school during the day and work at the local Taco Bell most nights just so the family can get by. In Veblen’s opinion, this family is unsuccessful. However, the bond this family has is simply amazing. They have learned to support each other throughout the toughest times, and the atmosphere at home is always warm and loving. Although this family is struggling to keep themselves above the poverty line, they are happy. You tell me, which of these families is truly “successful”? To me the choice is clear. Money is not the measure of success—well, at least not the only one.

-Phil Giddings