When I think about the person who has had the most influence in shaping me, I automatically think of my dad. My dad, whose name is Jim, told me when I was young that the most important thing in the world is love. I’ve grown up with that thought always lurking in the back of my mind and have come to agree with what he considers to be the most important thing. Love. For me, this encompasses all forms of kindness and sincerity, especially compassion. I’d say that my own positive outlook on life, though not unrealistic, is a gift that was given from the belief that love can exist among all people, even when circumstances are at their worst.

Just to speak generally, I know there are more things that about me that were influenced because of my dad. A sense of witty humor, a passion for cooking, and the knowledge that I have to make my own decisions; these things and more are because his experience with life was taught to me through his words and actions. His impact on my life, through the good and bad, will forever be a part of who I am.

He’s been diagnosed with cancer three times, two different types. The most recent happened only a handful of years ago, but the first two were the ones that happened to him both before and soon after I was born. Nowadays, he says jokingly that everyone should have to go through cancer because of how it could change people’s lives for the better. And I laugh along, because I know what he’s talking about. What he means is that, after going through that experience, he is now able to live his life with a more positive outlook. He encompasses the expression, “Happy to be alive” every day.

Because of this happiness, when his time finally does come, I know that as sad as it will be for those of us who love him, it will also be a relief for him to know that he was able to share his wisdom. Even though I may have only had the time to do things on a smaller scale, I know that every work of good is an act never forgotten. And in that way, we all live on, even after passing.

So, after hearing all this, I’m hoping that you have an idea of what success means to me before I’ve even expressed it. For me, success is something that happens all the time. For me, success is being happy. It’s learning something new.It’s the feeling you get when helping others. It’s not about thinking you know the meaning of life, but rather that in spite of what that meaning could be, you may face all things with kindness and love. Success is choosing the good that is offered when it chooses to appear, and being grateful for the things you’ve been given. The victory of success may not always be self-evident, but choosing to follow the guidelines of love is never a bad place to start finding success simply through the goodness within yourself.