Yeah I Wrote This!

[QUOTE=Freedomfight]
First of, my condolenses on tha have been injured…
Second: we have to realise that his is just the beginning. If the U.S. economy continues to disintegrate, draggin ours downward as well, the police force continues it’s campaign of corruption and the politicians continues to stick their nose where it don’t belong, we will have riots daily. Deadly ones too. Nothing is more dangerous thn a hungry, angry people who are winessing corruption.
Look like the beginning of the end.
[/QUOTE] 

Freedomfight, you may just have something there. As long as the police and the politicans turn a blind eye to blantant disrespect of the law, there will be upheavals and chaos.

Corruption and lawlessness have now become apart of our culture. Everywhere you go in Nassau, you see Bahamians blatantly breaking the law. From people selling illegal DVDs, to illegal gambling, illegal selling of wares along side the road to the selling of marajuana. All of these things Bahamians no longer regard as being against the law…

God save us against the reprecussions of us putting our heads in the sand!

(c) www.bahamasissues.com

In this complex and challenging world, it is safe to say that we all have been tremendously blessed with having certain ‘earthly angels’ who guide our paths and footsteps and who have generously enriched our lives in so many special and momentous ways. I, and I am sure many of you as well, have been abundantly blessed with knowing one such earthly angel: Mr. Leviticus “Uncle Lou” Adderley.  

I met Uncle Lou, for the first time several months before my tenure at our great Alma Mater, Saint Augustine’s College, as he scurried through the hallways of the small public primary school, which I had attended in Grants Town, on top of Blue Hill Road.       Amusingly, at that time, I had no idea who this gentleman was; nor was I aware of the magnificent role that he was going to play in shaping my life, (in spite of the fact that my mother had already on numerous occasions educated me about the great black principle of Saint Augustine’s College).  Nevertheless, I remembered thinking to myself as he darted pass me into the principal’s office with the envelope that contained my future, “my gosh, that man short and black aye.” 

During my formative years, my mother thought it was very important and necessary for me to have a strong black role model whom had gone through many of the same challenges that I was about to go through, consequently she took me out of the government school system, and sacrificed much in order to ensure that I had the opportunity to meet this giant of a man, this man of action, who had been responsible for molding many other great men before me, while having the opportunity of obtaining a private school education.

During my tenure at SAC, I had encountered many trials and distress; consequently, it became obvious that it was going to be very difficult for me to fit in at the school.  Nonetheless, it was Leviticus Adderley who had dedicated his time and energy to counsel me about my temper and my indifference and my many inferiority complexes that had plagued me during my earlier years.  I remember many a time that I was summoned to his office where he gave long speeches on why I can’t settle for mediocrity, how I must learn to be a leader to appreciate and respect others opinions.  I remember how he rambled on about how it was my duty to make a difference on campus and how he chided me for making excuses for my actions.  Even for that alone I thank him as I find that I owe him a debt of gratitude.  I hope to honor him by living a life by his example, for he is truly an icon of manhood who reinforces the values of male leadership and Christian living. 

Uncle Lou was definitely a great Bahamian man for whom we all should be proud; I especially regard him as my role model to which I have patterned my life.  Although Uncle Lou has passed from this part of God’s vineyard to those streets of golden where his labors have been rewarded, he will never be forgotten by those whose lives he has impacted.  May he rest in peace.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the invention of the Internet is one of man’s greatest and most spectacular endeavours.  For, it has truly revolutionalized the world in regards to how we engage in business, recreate, socialize, educate ourselves and communicate with each other. The Internet eliminated all impediments of conventional methods of operations.  Through its construction, the world economies have flourished.  Therefore, it can be said in a nut shell, that the Internet has made life on earth ‘easy’ to say the least; but to what expense? 

Through studying history, we all know that not everything that was created to make our lives easier has concluded with the improvement of society.  In fact, a great number of man’s inventions have contributed to the destruction of our planet.  Benjamin Franklyn once said that “man is a tool-making animal,” accordingly, often we have observed the destruction of the world due to man’s ‘well-intended’ inventions.  With such inventions as the automobile, train and aeroplane, the ozone layer is now threatened.   Through man’s desire to produce a better fruit and to expand his farm resources, insecticides now kill and destroy the earth’s plant and animal life.  And through man’s desire to have more space in order to progress and to live, deforestation has changed the oxygen cycle, resulting in there being more carbon dioxide in the air, which in fact heats up the earth.  In that same light, the Internet too, is destroying mankind.  For it is corrupting our way of thinking, work ethics and is ultimately making the people of the earth lazy.  Truly, the once godsend is now proving itself to be a curse.

 The Internet is the world’s largest network that connects businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.  But what are we exactly linked up to?  The answer to that is simple:  pornography and violence.  Due to the Internet’s large database, one, at a mere whim, is able to click a simple button to enter the world of porn and filth.  In fact, there has also been a connection between the exposure to many forms of pornography and various antisocial behaviours, including violence against women.  Moreover, even without purposely clicking onto pornography links, unwanted sexually explicit ‘pop ups’ plague the average Internet user’s computer.  I remember once doing a research paper on breast cancer, when upon typing in the word ‘breasts’ onto a particular search engine, literally scores of sexually explicit ‘pop ups’ terrorized my computer.  They fiendishly popped up, one after the other as I worked feverishly to close those malevolent sites before anyone pass and assume that I was some sort of sex fiend.  Truly, one may conclude by such events, that it is apparent, that lust and explicit sexual content is promoted on the Internet.  This again makes one wonder:  has the Internet really made life easier for us?  Or has it made life easier for those perverts who look to ‘get their rocks off’?

Furthermore, there is also a concern that our children are being abused via the Internet.  It is indeed a fact that the Internet has been grossly misused in order to distribute and to facilitate child pornography, not to mention used to arrange meetings for sexual purposes.  Distressing to say, but the same Internet advances that allow children to expand their knowledge and their horizons are also leaving them vulnerable to computer-sex offenders.  Moreso, pedophiles have now learned to use the Internet to lure, and to persuade children to meet them for sexual rendezvous.  These monsters, who easily pretend to be children online, maliciously use chat rooms; disguised as children, they deceitfully entrap their innocent victims.  Once again, it is clear to see for whom has the Internet actually made life easier for:  the pedophiles and beasts, which due the growth of the Internet have an easier access to abuse our children.

Nonetheless, detractors may argue that the Internet has created an inexpensive and speedy way of communication with friends and family.  That may be true, but to what expense has this so called ‘speedy way’ of communication affected the communication process?  I, for one, would readily applaud the invention of the Instant Messenger, for it has truly allowed me to maintain an instant form of communication with family members.  However, often times, I have found myself using symbols and abbreviations to express my sentiments instead of using words.  This Internet technology has miserably made me too lazy to write out a well thought out letter.  In fact, I find myself communicating in fragments rather than expressing well-formed ideas.  If one should read any of my emails, they will see that they are beset with abbreviations of “U” for “you,” “C U lata,” for “see you later” and “B R B” for “be right back.”  And if that is not enough, I even include smiley faces to show that I am happy and sad faces to show that I am upset.  I even found that I no longer pay attention to spelling, punctuation nor even grammar.  I am just too lazy to edit, the ‘puter’ does that for me, more so sadly, I am also too lazy to do any research, for the Internet has facilitated the references are at my fingertips.  Certainly, if this deterioration of written expression is happening to me, not to mention the complacency of being dependent of having information at my finger tips, I am sure it is happening to other persons as well.  One can imagine now, the difficulty that teachers are currently faced with when it comes to children who frequently use the Internet to express themselves.  Truly, the Internet hasn’t made life easier for the English teacher!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

In addition, it can be said that commerce has greatly been expanded due to the advent of the Internet.  The Internet has solidified the concept that the world is a global economy.   One is now able to purchase items from businesses across the world with a click of a button.  Having an Internet website has allowed businesses to increase the awareness of their products and service, notwithstanding the fact that their markets have expanded.  International and regional business deals and meetings can now be done in ‘real time’ over the computer.  Queries and responses thereof are now immediate through the use of emails.  But again these so called ‘advantages’ can be construed as a detriment.  Truly, technology has diminished the level of face-to-face contact that was previously necessary for commerce.  As a result of the Internet, business and trade now lack the emotions imperative for valued interaction.  Internet technology has exiled the importance of body language, tone of voice, and facial expression, features that are important to get a full understanding of the communication process. Oftentimes, I have purchased items over the net, without being able to fully gain a complete feed back of the seller’s opinion on the item.  Certainly without this completed feedback I was at a disadvantage with my purchase. This again, is another mishap caused by the evil Internet, for it appears that the trade off for increased communication and business is the decline of the communication process.

And there is also the concern regarding the policing of these so called Internet businesses.  Too often have we heard of persons stealing other people’s identity and credit card information over the Internet.  Too often have phoney Internet businesses opened, just to swindle un-expecting buyers only to close down overnight disappearing into the black of cyberspace.  And who is it that is going to hold these offenders responsible for their misdeeds, and who is it to enforce the laws of the land?  No one, for their existence is only websites, with no permanent structure or base, that are scattered all over the globe.  Such web pages can be erected and dissolved within seconds.  And more sadly, these unscrupulous pirates of the web through the Internet now have ‘easy’ access to the world, plundering and pilfering the innocent.

In conclusion, with the advent of the Internet, our simple lives have dramatically changed. We are no longer safe from the once considered ‘far away’ dangers of violence and sexual perversion of the grim world, for the Internet has brought them into our homes.   It is a dismal fact, that indeed the Internet has made sexily explicit images readily available to children.  What’s more, through the freedom and anonymity that the Internet gives, fiends are able to promote and encourage hate crimes and the destruction of private property.  Topics such as ‘instructions on how to make a bomb’ can be readily accessed.  Information on how to join the ‘Ku Klux Klan’ can be easily down loaded and even more sadly, essays promoting terrorist activities are available online with a click of a mouse. Consequently, it can be said beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Internet has proven itself to be a curse rather than a godsend for it is assisting in the corruption of our world, making life more difficult rather than easier. 

Imagine living amongst vast, lush vegetation.  Imagine being able to take advantage and to appreciate the quietude of your surroundings, the simplicity of nature. Imagine having your own private beach that you can run naked along, and skinny-dip if you wished, within the beautiful, tranquil, blue-green waters.  Imagine a place where the people are inviting, accommodating and friendly.  And imagine a culture where being relaxed, laid back and stressed free is the order of the day.  Sounds good doesn’t it?  Definitely at first glace; however, are these physical attributes attractive enough to entice the recent high school or college graduate? Can the slow, peaceful and tranquil lifestyle of the family of islands lure him/her away from the hustle and bustle of New Providence?  The answer to that is simple: no!  For the island of New Providence with its glamour and glitz of a modern city, is the entertainment Mecca for The Bahamas, a characteristic that most young individuals seek out to be apart of.  Moreover, New Providence is the educational capital of The Bahamas, hosting the major campuses of the College of The Bahamas, (the foremost tertiary educational institution), not to mention several other post secondary institutions.  Then there are the exorbitant cost of living expenses of the Family Islands in contrasts to New Providence, not even considering the fact that New Providence apparently has all the jobs, jobs, and more jobs.  In deed, these simple truths prove that it is undeniably far beneficial for young adults to live on the island of New Providence in contrast to any other Family Island.

Now, everyone knows that New Providence is the place to party.  In fact, it has over six major night clubs registered in The “Bahamas 2004 Telephone Directory.”  Places such as the Zoo, Waterloo and the King and Knight’s night club are internationally renowned, drawing crowds from all over the world.  Likewise, the young Bahamian party animals are drawn there too, desiring to take advantage of the international and high tech flavour of the clubs, something, none of the Family Islands have yet to accomplish.  Alicia Smith, a recent graduate of the College of The Bahamas who migrated to Exuma to seek employment opportunities at the Emerald Bay, Four Seasons Hotel and Resort expressed similar sentiments. “The club I been too here in Exuma, had sand for the floor. It didn’t even have any neon lights either; it was just a down home atmosphere, very island like.  It was far different from what I was used to in Nassau.”  Like many young adults, Smith desires to live where there is a little flavour, colour, diversity, and where life is a little more challenging in nature, however, on the Family Islands like most rural areas are less dramatic centring on the simplicity of life;  consequently, Smith is having issues adjusting to the change.  But, New Providence’s advantages regarding entertainment for the young adult do not stop there, for New Providence can also brag that it is home to three state of the art movie theatres and two colossal shopping malls.  Both the mall and the movie theatres serve as an adequate environment for young adults to date, socialize and to congregate.  In fact, countries like China according to (http://www.siamfuture.com/asiannews/asiannewstxt.asp?aid=2037) brag about the ‘professional shopping service’ that shopping malls give.  Moreover the site claims that the creation of shopping malls in the major Chinese cities have resulted in “better service, lower prices and more intensive service networks.”  However, the family islands sadly lag behind in this regard too, having yet to see the advantages and benefits of having these places of entertainment for social gatherings.  Smith expressed her dismay regarding Exuma not having a mall or movie theatre saying, “One of the things I really miss about Nassau is the Mall of Marathon.  I really miss just walking around on Saturdays window shopping and I miss the Galleria too!  Now, I have to be content with reading a book.” 

Truly, it is technology that separates the advances of city life, New Providence, versus rural life, the Family Islands.  In fact, ‘according to sociologist Saskia Sassen, the modern city is the hub of the modern technological elite who connect into high-speed private telecommunications networks while those living in the country wait and wait for things to download,’ (http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/2000/nt_2000_04_24_suburban.htm). Consequently, one may conclude that the ‘emphasis of technology developers for rural areas has been on catering for needs (with small improvement) rather than creating a demand. History shows that technological development has been fuelled by creation of demand,’ (http://pune.sancharnet.in/nariphaltan/capart.htm). 

Now, we must consider the educational advantages of living on New Providence in contrasts to living on a Family Island.  According to Locksley Forbes in his thesis entitled the “Investigation into the Career Aspirations of Grade 12 Students in Government Schools in New Providence and the Family Islands,” students in the Family Islands top career choices consist of nursing, policing, computer programming and accounting.  Through his finding it can be safe to assume that these students will be migrating to New Providence in order to fulfil their individual goals, especially since the Police College, the School for Nursing and the School of Business (housed by COB) are located on the island of New Providence; truly tough luck to say the least for students who desired to study on their native island.  Sadly, it is indeed a fact that the Family Islands of the Bahamas lack the facilities to assist in the continued access to the education and training needed by Bahamians to develop their interest and capabilities to the fullest extent.   In fact, this lack of facilities is associated with all rural areas as expressed in a School Issue article entitled ‘New Report Highlights the State of Rural Schools.’  The report found that rural schools have issues with:

• Recruitment and retention of rural teachers, principals, and administrators is difficult.
• Teacher salaries are lower.
• Bus rides are longer and transportation costs are higher.
• Teachers are expected to teach both in and out of the field.
• Internet access is delayed.
• Per pupil costs are higher yet levels of discretionary spending are lower.

Surely, we all would agree that a recent high school/college graduate usually never has any money on their person; his/her life is based on a constant budget. Consequently, living on a Family Island would deplete their already small resources.  In fact, Smith voiced her concerns regarding this too during her interview, ‘A conch snack here does cost you ten dollars.  You know they wrong for that.  How’s a girl supposed to feed herself with such prices?”  But, her drama does not stop there; there aren’t any fast food restaurants on any of the Family Islands, subsequently taking advantage of that quick, cheap number one or two special is an impossible.  There are great benefits that comes along with the existence of fast food restaurants, “fussy eaters are guaranteed to finish a low-cost meal and parents are rewarded with a break from cooking as well as rare expressions of gratitude from their kids,” (http://recipestoday.com/resources/articles/fastfood.htm).  Moreover, that due to a small economy of scale on the Family of Islands, basic products, such as household items, clothes and luxury items are twice the price when contrasted to prices on Nassau, New Providence.  Amazingly, it seems as if one would have to have two to three jobs in order to maintain a standard Nassau type of living on a Family Island.

But what about the jobs, aren’t there jobs on the Family islands?  Sure, if you desire to fish or farm.  Alas, even with the recent economic growth on the Family Islands, islanders still migrate to the capital, New Providence, in search for employment opportunities. “The primary reason for urban migration has long been understood as the desire for higher wages or the greater expectation of employment,” (http://www.unfpa.org/swp/1996/ch4.htm). The Minister of Works Bradley Roberts in a Guardian article entitled “Family Islands to Lure Investors,” stated that “The Bahamas is set to develop infrastructure on various Family Islands in an effort to lure foreign investment and boost the tourism economy.”  In fact the Minister acknowledged that it is possible that many “investors are not susceptible to invest in various Family Islands which have great economic potential for The Bahamas because of their minimal infrastructural position,” Here, we can see that due to the current limited development on the Family Islands, there will be limited career options for graduates; consequently, New Providence is clearly their better bet.

Nevertheless, not everyone would prefer to live on the island of New Providence, Jack Colebrook, a migrant from Cat Island said, “man I miss that island life style.  I could leave my door open all night and sleep, and no one would ever disturb me.”  “The suburban experience has at its heart a quest for privacy — a collective wish for a private life — and a quiet place,” (http://www.simonpure.com/suburbia04.htm).

Other detractors may cry out that at least the Family Islands has minimal crime when contrasted to New Providence.  That may be true, but crime and deviant behaviour usually accompanies city life and with the development and the increased movement of people happening around our islands now days, such vices will spread throughout the entire Bahamas.   In fact this theory was tested by the Manhattan Institute, NYC who reported based on data gained from high school students from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, “suburban public high school students have sex, drink, smoke, use illegal drugs, and engage in delinquent behaviour as often as urban public high school students,” (http://www.citymayors.com/society/urban_teens.html).  Some suburbs are beginning to experience problems historically associated with urban ills, prompting residents to move to towns farther out in the country, (http://www.simonpure.com/suburbia04.htm).  Here we see that crime is relative, as no matter where one lives, there will always be negative forces effecting the youth.

Also, there are those who would remind us that the Family Islands host our exotic culture and that it maintains that, which is truly considered as being “Bahamian.”  These persons would profess that New Providence is also too Americanized; moreover despite the fact that the Family Islands may not have the luxuries of the city life, there are always regattas and the sort that lure persons including young adults from the capital in order to experience that ‘down home island life.’ But truthfully how often does a regatta happen on a particular Family Island?  Maybe once or twice a year, certainly that isn’t enough to quench a young adult’s thirst for excitement, for right after the regatta is completed, the mail boats are again loaded with graduates returning home in order to experience New Providence’s ‘down home’ flavour, right down at the Fish Fry!  The Fish Fry may be considered the Bahamas’ premiere tourist and cultural spot.

In addition, proponents for living on the Family Islands may also put forward that Island life has a more relaxed atmosphere and lacks the ‘rat race’ that New Providence appears to have.  They conclude that due to the small close knitted communities, family life is better appreciated in contrast to living on the island of New Providence.  There are many who would proclaim that ‘everyone knows everyone’ in each settlement and that it is this community life that makes the Family Island so spectacular.  In fact, Colebrook in his interview also suggested that the Family Island life is much better than New Providence because, “The Family Islands are cleaner; there are no traffic jams, no stresses and you are able to appreciate your surroundings more.  Even the stars seem bigger and brighter on the Family Islands.”  However, Adelaide and Gambier Village on New Providence has equally the same type of atmosphere, consequently, one must conclude that it is obvious that living on the island of New Providence is far better when contrasts to the Family of Islands as New Providence matches the advantages of living on the Family Islands and definitely outshines whatever the Family Islands can offer.

In conclusion, recent graduates from colleges and high schools would without doubt decide to live on the island of New Providence in contrast to living on any Family Island simply because New Providence has more to offer them.  A typical young adult’s life is at a fast pace where there is a constant need to experience life to its fullest and to take advantage of its various opportunities; subsequently, it appears that currently only New Providence can offer them that growth and personal development.  Clearly, when contrasted to the Family Islands, New Providence matches and surpasses the other islands with ease.  New Providence has the serene atmosphere in several of his constituencies, it also has the cultural flavour and the opportunities and advantages of city life; therefore without doubt, it is undeniably far beneficial for young adults to live on the island of New Providence in contrast to any other Family Island.

Works Cited

Asofsky, Karen. Food Frenzy: Making the Most of Drive-Thru Dinners.

            http://recipestoday.com/resources/articles/fastfood.htm 1999-2003 April 7, 2004

The Bahamas 2004 Telephone Directory: Bahamas:  2003.

Colebrook, Jack, Personal Interview March 11^th 2004.

Forbes, Locksley. Investigation into the Career Aspirations of Grade 12 Students in

Government Schools in New Providence and the Family Islands.

Bahamas: UWI/COB UP 1976.

New Report Highlights the State of Rural Schools. http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues118.shtml

Perkins, Broderick. “People Who Choose to Live in San Jose’s Downtown Have More to

Shop for Than Retail.” Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal Feb 14, 2003. Apr 7, 2004. http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/02/17/focus1.html.

Rajvanshi, Anil. “Development of Technologies for Rural Areas—Need for New

Thinking.”  Moving Technology Vol. 7, No. 1 pg. 2-5 Mar 1992 April 7, 2004

http://pune.sancharnet.in/nariphaltan/capart.htm

Rolle, Vanessa. “Family Islands to Lure Investors.” Nassau Guardian Bahamas:

            November 11, 2002

Smith, Alicia, Personal (Telephone) Interview March 12^th 2004. 

Sadik, Nafis “Sources of city Growth UNFPA State of World Population1996 Changing

Places: Population, development and urban future.” The State of World Population 1996 Report http://www.unfpa.org/swp/1996/ch4.htm  1996 April 7, 2004.

 

I am sure that we all have numerous interpretations of what a successful person really is.  Many would be quick to say that success is measured through obtaining and maintaining material possessions.  Others would declare that success is overcoming obstacles and accomplishing goals.  And even more would proclaim that it is actually having a well paid job, higher education or even having a loving family.  However, I suggest that society’s idea of success is flawed.  I contend that there are too many emphases on the trimmings of success rather than on the basic simplicity of it; for truly, success is much more simplistic in nature.  Unquestionably, success has to do with contentment, enjoyment and self-worth, which allows for the conclusion that success is simply being happy!

Thorndike Barnhart Intermediate Dictionary defines ‘successful’ as being “prosperous” and “fortunate.” It further develops the word by saying that success has to do with “favourable results” and “a wished-for ending.”  Definitely through these definitions one can conclude that being successful is actually subjective.  For being prosperous and fortunate varies from society to society.  In parts of Africa owning two cows may be considered as being prosperous and successful, whereas in Western cultures having a vast amount of wealth may be the indicator of when someone is essentially doing well.  Nevertheless, though the importance of such possessions is subjective to culture, both possessions beyond doubt is a sign of accomplishments and gives pleasure to its possessor.  Therefore, it is safe to proclaim that a common thread exist in regards to success in all societies and that common thread is that success is based on having possessions that makes one happy, ‘happy’ being the operative word.

Surely, in our society, it maybe safe to say that everyone would love to own that enormous, spectacular house with the fine furnishings; who would blame a person for desiring that gigantic, well manicured property with the huge winding driveway accompanied with the big luxurious cars parked out front?  More so, I am sure that everyone would be ecstatic to have that vast bank account to purchase all the frills and comforts of the world at a whim.  Wow, just picturing that now, makes me shiver.  But really, is that success?  Well, some say that money is the answer to all things and some would even dare to say that money can purchase happiness.  But can it?  Certainly money can purchase things and trinkets, but usually these items are just transient in nature, a corridor to actual happiness.  This can be seen through observing many women who claim that shopping for shoes makes them happy.  (Like men, many women tend to measure a person’s success by their possessions, in this case shoes).   But, what happens after the shopping spree?  Will there still be happiness and contentment?  Nope!  Sadly, even with a room full of expensive shoes, many women find their once happiness fleeting.  As a result, there is always a need to perpetually feed their desire for more shoes in order to maintain their enjoyment.  Likewise, having wealth too is undeniably fleeting, accordingly the rich is often seen pursuing more wealth, in order to fulfil their quest to be successful.

Then there are some who claim that having power is what makes one successful. Certainly a misconception of success, for having power is just a tool to obtain success.  Having the ability to make things happen and to affect the end result is miraculous to say the least.  But like Lord Action said, ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” (Random House Webster’s Quotationary).  Power corrupts because of what persons tend to do and sacrifice in order to maintain it.  Similarly to those with a never quenching desire for wealth, those who have power unendingly seek out more power in order maintain their success.  Mikhail Bakunin in a pamphlet entitled “Science and the Urgent Revolutionary Task” states that ‘political power and wealth are inseparable.  Those who have power have the means to gain wealth and must centre their efforts upon acquiring, for without it they will not be able to retain their power.  Those who are wealthy must become strong, for, lacking power, they run the risk of being deprived of their wealth,’ (Random House Webster’s Quotationary).  If Bakunin’s statements are in fact correct, (that wealth and power go hand in hand), it is safe then to conclude that they both share the same faults, that is both are fleeting, therefore not depicting true success.  In fact, this is clearly seen in wars.  Nations conquer other nations in order to obtain wealth and power, however immediately after one conquest is done, there is always the need to seek out yet another nation to conquer, never being satisfied, always in search to quench the lust for power.  This was clearly seen with Hitler’s conquest to conquer the world.  Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia, Austria, Poland, Belgium, Denmark and France in his conquest to be the world’s supreme leader.  Sadly, his thirst to be supreme leader and with his discontentment of being just the leader of Germany led him to suicide when his forces failed and his homeland Germany borders were breached by allied forces. 

Now let us consider the concept of having a well paying job as success.  Clearly this too is subjective, as what one may consider as an interesting or a fulfilling job may be too demanding and boring to another person.  Nevertheless, being self fulfilled with your job is the key to success.  For if one is not content with it, one could never consider oneself as being successful.  Imagine having that job making let’s say $100,000 dollars a year, (my eyes just watered at the very thought of that); however, the job requires backbreaking or emotionally taxing work, certainly many would reconsider selecting this particular job as it may not add to their personal fulfilment.  One may want to settle with a $21,000 dollar a year job because one simply enjoys the task.  Truly the enjoyment is what seems to make one successful!  This idea was seen in one of the analogies that Dr. Martin Luther King used in one of his speeches, when he said that ‘it isn’t by size that you win or fail’, but by ‘being the best of what you are’.

Leonard Roy Frank in his book Quotationary states that ‘success means only doing what you do well (and) letting someone else do the rest.’  Wow, that is truly a profound statement.  This statement reinforces my idea that success is based on happiness, for I maintain that success is accomplishing your goals and moving no further.  My theory lies upon the point of satisfaction. That is, when one is no longer satisfied with the point at which one exists, one’s success has become transitory.  In deed, if we do consider Thorndike Barnhart Intermediate Dictionary’s ‘successful’ definition as a “favourable result” or “a wished-for ending” we must conclude that success must have a definite culmination, consequently without the culmination, there is no success.  And what is this sort after culmination?  Happiness by performing endeavours.

But what about pursuing an education or becoming skilled in the arts, how do they bring happiness or contentment, you may ask?  How can one measure success from something one does for recreation?  Well both the arts and education have to do with accomplishing goals and overcoming barriers, subsequently both have to do with self worth and personal development.  One tends to improve upon one’s self in order to ensure self worth and to maintain happiness, consequently to become successful.  Once again, we can conclude that success is the quest of making one feel good about one’s self.

In conclusion, when we are considering what a successful person really is, we should consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  We must consider what motivates someone to become successful, what drives him to want to be happy.  Maslow’s theory consists of five points:  Physiological, safety, love, esteem and self actualization.  The first three desires on the list of needs are centred on survival; however, esteem and self actualization are centred on accomplishing goals and self-worth.  It seems as if there is a natural need for persons to be happy, therefore, there is a natural desire for persons to be successful.  If we consider this, we can conclude that success is subjective to a person’s needs.  Some persons need a little and others need a lot.  For that reason, to say that success is having a large number of material items is unmistakably flawed, as success is truly being happy with what you have achieved.

Works Cited

Frank, Leonard. Random House Webster’s Quotationary. New York:  Random, 1998.

King, Martin Luther. “Quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.”

http://members.aol.com/klove01/marquote.htm. April 9, 2004.

Scott, Foresman. Thorndike Barnhart Intermediate Dictionary. New Jersy: Scott, 1985.