When can we declare ourselves successful in life?

How many of us will ask such question?

Others may think that there's no point living when we declare ourself successful in life. There are lots of books suggesting on how to be successful in life. Yet, we have difficulties to recognize our own successful life, or won't even know we have reached such goal.

I grew up in a rural area, and we were told that we need to finish our studies, get some degrees and set some goals to be somebody someday. Is that goal defines success? Most likely, but not necessarily defining successful life.

After graduation, each one will look for a job to fend himself and become independent. Pursuit a career which someone may think suitable and can bring to the next level. In the process, someone may change career path to achieve the goal being set.

Back in my home town, most of us have very simple goal. Study hard, graduate and get some degree, then you can find work easily and be successful. Sounds easy! But in this real world, especially this information age, it's not as simple as it seems. The world is shrinking, and even the remotest place is affected by this advancement.

Each person has his own set of criteria to determine his own success. Though others think that a person is already successful, the concerned individual usually determines his own success.

As the person getting older, the measure of success is up. At times, we set different goals, achieved each one, then move to achieve a higher level. Therefore, we usually don't count successes we made earlier in life. And we may feel that we haven't achieved anything. It always boils down to contentment.

Once a person reaches his twilight years, then he'll start to ponder if he has made a successful life. He'll look back at the past years, the best and worst times and assess his achievements...

Does it mean I'm already in my twilight years? hmmm... just thinking...

So when to declare? That's up to the individual...