What is Success?

What is Success? is a poem written by Bessie A. Stanley.  It’s a poem that explores what it means to live a full, fruitful, compassionate life.  These are topics that are important to speak with children about.  You can listen to the poem and read along below…

MP3 of What is Success?

What is Success?

He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;

who has enjoyed the trust of
pure women,

the respect of intelligent men and
the love of little children;

who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem or a rescued soul;

who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty
or failed to express it;

who has always looked for the best in others and
given them the best he had;

whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.

This poem is also used for funeral services and eulogies.  It celebrates a life well lived.

Mama Lisa

This article was posted on Friday, October 5th, 2012 at 8:30 am and is filed under Countries & Cultures, Customs and Traditions, England, English, Funeral Traditions, Languages, Leading a Good Life, Life Lessons, Mama Lisa, Parenting, Poems, Poems about Death, Poems about Life, Poetry, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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