In the previous article, we tackled success that is a prerequisite to a positive life. We also mentioned that success has its enemies; which are fear and worry. There are many elements of success.
1- Setting up goals:
“Goals are not only absolutely necessary to motivate us. They are essential to really keep us alive.”Thus setting goals is the most important element of success. It is what proves that a man is morally alive. Success can’t be achieved without goals as simply as such this success can be defined as the ability to achieve the set-up goals. Goals should be specific, clear, accurate and well-timed. Emerson, an author and writer, says, “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going”.
I once read a story about a plant named, Weed Temple, which is grown only in deserts. What is odd about this plant is that it grows at a humid land, so it fixes its roots in it while the trunk stretches and the leaves grow. If the sand becomes dry, the plant would get its roots out of the land; wrap itself around its trunk and turn to a hollow ball of dry leaves and roots. Then the wind would carry it for a vast distance in the desert till it rests at another humid land. Here it repeats the same process till the land is parched and so forth. The life cycle of this plant includes little periods of prosperity and large ones of shriveling that it turns into a useless plant. Similarly, a person who has no objectives resembles an object thrown by the whirl of life. We should teach our children how to set goals. Once, a wise man noticed that his children don’t care about their studying. He knew how much they are fond of cars; thus he asked them the model of the car they want to own in the future. “A Ferrari” they answered concurrently. He asked them with no hesitation if they wanted to go watch it at a Ferrari showroom. When they had gone there, the sales man welcomed them and asked whether he can give them a helping hand. The father answered him that his sons had wanted to buy a car. The sales person realized what the father had intended to then he asked the children to choose the car they wanted and opened it that they can sit inside. The boy sat in the car feeling incredibly amazing and spent a time that they would never ever forget. The father thanked the sales person asking about its price and if they can pay the price in installments. On their way back home, they couldn’t stop talking about the car and the day that they can fulfill their dreams and buy it. At home, they held a little meeting in which the father explained that the car is so expensive and they have to….to be continued
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
