Whether or not one achieve one's aims is dependent on many things. It might be argued that most of those factors are not within one's control. How does it makes sense for us to judge ourselves on 'success' or 'failure' when sometimes the difference between success and failure lie in mere chance? In the end, there is only one thing only that we can measure ourselves by -- how much we struggled and how well. Example about in history, art and everyday life by the light of which we can see this is true.
The Shackleton party failed their objective to be the first to reach the South Pole miserably when they were stranded on Elephant island , yet who remembers that now when we think of their story of preserverance and survival? In the face of overwhelming odds, they never lost hope and they never stopped striving to improve their situation. In the end, they achieved nothing more than survival, something they could have by not having left their cozy home at all. Yet their incredible journey will be remembered as a true testament of the human spirit.
The genious of Van Gogh's pictures was not recognized within his lifetime. If he judged himself by the standard of his accomplishments as measured by the world's approbation, he would have died thinking himself a failure. Instead, he chose to stay true to his struggle for his artistic vision, and his eventual accomplishment was great indeed, though he was not alive to see it.
Going to college is a common achievement now. While my parents were proud on my graduation day, they have come to see my graduation as a given. While the diploma is the same, I don't think I can compare the meaning of my diploma with that of someone who is the first in their family to achieve that diploma.
In conclusion, whether or not we succeed at our goals is often out of our hands. If we know within ourselves that we gave one hundred percent, we can rest, satisfied.
