Interview With Margaret Agan As a former social worker, mother of three, and hard-working woman, Margaret Agan has truly experienced life and success. Her commentary provides her idea of success in a broader aspect, regarding happiness and perseverance. How do you define success? I think success is taking your abilities, your innate abilities, and using them to the fullest extent to help and to develop yourself into a better person. Eventually, the goal is to leave the world in a better place once you're gone. Do you feel you have reached success in your life? Why or why not? I don’t think it’s a place that you reach and you just stop. I think it can change when circumstances change. I think in a certain circumstance you can feel success. But, things change, challenges change, environments change, and you have to regroup and face the challenges again to meet success on a different level. So, success at twenty-one is not success at forty is not success at fifty-five. You know it changes, because human beings change. Who do you look up to in terms of success? So I don't look up to any one person. You know you just look at different people that have just been in your life. Your mom, you, dad; you look at their personal challenges and how they've risen above them, and you hope to learn from that a resilience, and fortitude. I guess you know if I had to be specific, who do I look up to, I definitely say my grandparents and my grandmother who grew up in poverty. None of them completed higher than the 6th or 8th grade level of education. My grandfather was a coal miner. The circumstances that they faced with
poverty-they were all good, honest, loving, hard working people that passed on those same values to their kids, and wanted better for their kids. And their generations did do better. Their kids went on to graduate to highschool, and we went on to graduate college. It didn’t make them negative, angry, people. They were a loving force in my life and they were happy with that. I also look up to my mother- she is the strongest person I know in terms of success. She lost her husband at forty, and raised six kids on her own, and never complained about it once. Is success important to you? Why or why Not? Yes. it is. But again, it is different for every individual. I don't see success as monetary success. Sometimes your challenges can be hidden, or unseen. And it can mean doing the best with what you have in that moment for yourself and for your family. If you could choose one thing that you would say you are most proud of, what would it be? My kids. How does this display success for you? To be honest, they’ve all faced their challenges. Moving multiple times, struggling with ADHD, depression, and tragedy, they’ve all stayed strong and kept moving on. Sometimes your own inner successes might not be recognized outwardly in a community that often values materialistic and monetary success. But to me, their success has more meaning than anything else.
Love Your Job(s) Success & Happiness
As Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else's’ life”(University, Stanford). I think it goes without saying that Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was a very successful man. Many individuals measure one’s success based on their fame, although, success can be reached in any way. Through ambition and triumph, one can achieve their goal, thus fulfilling their success. Some people believe success occurs through an ultimatum, and put their happiness on a timeline, rather than living everyday as a success. Steve Jobs enjoyed his work, and fought hard to keep doing what he loved, even through the hardest times. His success was not only a result of co-founding Apple, also because he found a genuine interest in his career. The education system has constructed a whole new perspective on success for students. Once graduating high school, students believe their success depends on getting into college and finishing with some high degree. Contrary to popular belief, success does not necessarily mean graduating college and pursuing a job. Job’s dropped out of college just after six months, and never went back to get a degree. Shortly after, he began to work on the first Apple Computer in his garage, funding his design through selling some of his possessions. Through his determination and self-sufficiency, he was able to transform the future of technology, further encompassing the concept of success (Richardson, Julia). Job’s also aimed to educate others on his experiences in life regarding success. In his Stanford commencement address in 2005, he focused on three stories that influenced his life: connecting the dots, love and loss, and death. The story about connecting the dots illustrates how he accomplished designing the first Macintosh Computer, even though he did not finish college, and was barely making it through financially. The second story portrays one his greatest setbacks, getting fired from Apple. Jobs and another company partner had a conflict, which led Apple to letting him go from his job there. At this point, he had nowhere to go, and felt like he had made a huge mistake. Although, he soon realizes that this obstacle proved only to make him stronger; he knew he had to continue doing what he loved. He went on to create the company NeXT, and Pixar, and later came back to Apple. Job’s third story depicted his outlook on life, and his diagnosis of terminal cancer. This diagnosis opened his mind up even
more onto the possibilities of life and how to live it (University, Stanford). From this, he encompassed the true meaning of success, and ultimately living life how one desires to, never regretting anything.
Movie Review Soul Surfer & Forrest Gump
The 2011 autobiographical film, Soul Surfer,
perseveres and develops into an incredible surfer,
illustrates the life and success of surfer Bethany
even with her traumatic past.
Hamilton, who lost her arm to a shark attack in
In my opinion, this inspirational film portrays the
Hawaii. The movie begins by depicting her
importance of persistence, which ultimately
achievements surfing, including her first place
drives Hamilton’s success as a surfer. Her career
award in a competition in Kauai. One day, she goes
as a surfer is year-round, so she is always
out to surf with her friend and her friends dad.
competing and training. The sport requires
She paddles out and as she waits for an oncoming
training in many areas, including strength and
wave, a shark
balance (Viti, Lucia). Since childhood, she dreamed
swims up and
of professionally surfing, a career
attacks her
that she loved doing, which defined her success.
arm, tearing it
Similarly, the 1994 comedy-drama, Forrest Gump,
off into the
leaves audiences with a new feeling about life,
water. At this
and success. The main character, Forrest, is a man
point, her
who has dealt with
friends help
many obstacles, including a low IQ. Although, this
her out of the
does not stop him from trying his hardest to live
water and
a happy life. He found his success through this
immediately
happiness, and discovered he could achieve
call an
whatever he put his mind to. Starting from
ambulance. After surgery, she learns that her
childhood, Forrest was bullied. He had leg braces,
injuries sustained could have easily killed her, and
and could not run like everyone else. When he no
that she had miraculously survived. With only one
longer had braces on his legs, he was able to run
arm now, she gets frustrated that her everyday life
faster than anyone and received a football
becomes harder, although, this does not stop her
scholarship. He later joins the army, and also
from getting back on the board. She eventually
R
receives many medals and rewards for his
service. These examples of how he found the
strength to carry on depict how success has no
means. He loved his life, and accomplished many
impressive things through it. Between these two
inspirational films, I would rather choose to
watch soul surfer. For me, I find sports and
athletes a more relatable subject which motivates
me to never let anything get in my way.
Advice on Success Q: How do I overcome a setback? Throughout life, everyone experiences their own challenges and adapts to the obstacles set forth. Opportunities come and go, but what most people ultimately strive for remains success. For some, it may come from earning a certain amount of money, or having a certain career. However, success should come from within, as a result of one’s motivation and ambition. I believe if you love what you do, that itself defines personal success. If you find yourself stuck, and feel helpless, just remember that it will only make you stronger. As cliche as that sounds, I try to live by that rule everyday. If you work hard and push through what may seem as the toughest challenges, you will face a reward at the end that will be more than worth it. Q: Do I have to make money and go to college to be successful? On the outside, someone may see a wealthy businessman as successful, although, prosperity does not mean triumph. If he is not happy in life, and not enjoying his job, than one may be fooled to assume his success. From my point of view, I have no doubt that achievement comes from working hard and feeling satisfied with the result. Even if the end does not meet exactly what you had wished for, you still got closer to your goal than you previously were. Personally, I have struggled with my idea of success for a while. As a student, grades are a very important factor for one’s
future, in fact, we are taught that they determine our success. While earning a decent grade is nice, I have also realized I cannot beat myself up for anytime where I have not done as well. I put my best effort into most things I do, and if I do not accomplish my desired result, I try to tell myself it was still a success anyways. I encourage others to practice this mindset and come to the realization that as long as you are happy with yourself and your effort, that is its own accomplishment. Q: How can I feel happy with my job? As Leonardo DiCaprio once said, “If you can do what you do best, and be happy, you are further along in life than most people” (Goalcast). I find this quote very true to my definition of success. Society nowadays is so driven by money, that some fail to realize the real purpose of what they do. If success is an accomplishment, people should start seeing their happiness as an accomplishment, as well. I have found one common denominator of success is taking risks. Personally, I have had many times where I have felt hesitant towards doing something because of my fear of failure. Although, taking a risk and going through with it already gives you a higher chance of succeeding, therefore there is no reason not to. I think people need to take opportunity as it comes, and never regret the choices they have made. In the end, you choose your future; your success depends on how content you are with your life.
Lebron James The “King” Often argued as a better basketball player than Michael Jordan, Lebron James has made history with his skills leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory in the NBA Finals. James’s successful career did not come easy though, he worked and faced challenges to get where he stands today. James grew up in Akron, Ohio, where his mom gave birth to him at only sixteen years old. His family struggled with money, and his father figure was in and out of jail many times. Although, this did not stop James from pursuing what he loved to do: basketball. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a basketball player in the NBA, so he began playing at a young age. As soon as he got to highschool, he had developed noticeable skills that made him stand out among others. By the end of highschool, he had worked hard enough for his shot at the big leagues. At the end of his Senior year of high school in 2004, the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him onto the team. His success did not end there, though. As an NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James's brought his team to many victories. Most impressively, his team won the 2016 NBA Finals against the Warriors, after being down 3-1. As illustrated by his hard work and motivation, James did not give up, and continued to fight for the win. Additionally, James has won many awards including Rookie of the Year, NBA Most Valuable Player, and Best NBA Player ESPY. These accomplishments display the tremendous effort he put into his basketball career, emphasizing his love for the sport (Jenkins, Lee). As one of the greatest athletes in history, Lebron’s achievements encompass the idea of success. He followed his dreams, worked hard to improve, and eventually saw results. Most importantly, James became so successful because he finds happiness is playing basketball as his career. His motivation to keep going and developing into a better player ultimately defines his success.
Biography Meet the Author Rebekah Agan attends
run cross country, despite her
Chagrin Falls High School as
hesitance towards it. The season
Junior. She has taken many
presented many mental and
Honors English classes, including
physical challenges, but her love
Honors English 9, and Honors
for running was too strong to
English 10, and currently is in AP
just quit. She made it through
English Language. Her previous
every race and received a varsity
work has encompassed many
letter at the end of the season.
forms of reading and writing
Rebekah found success in
such as argument essays, the “We finishing each race and reaching Solve Problems” essay, and
a personal record. In the end, this
Rhetorical Analysis essays.
came from being satisfied and
Rebekah’s favorite subject has
happy with her efforts.
always been English, as she loves
Rebekah also tries not to
writing. This passion has inspired measure her success based on a her to take a Creative Writing
pass or fail scale. She finds
elective, where she has developed grades important, and does well her skills and progressed as a
in school, but tries not to get too
writer.
upset if she does not do well on a While she has always
certain assignment. If she knows
enjoyed academics, Rebekah also
she tried her best, then that itself
has a love for athletics. She has
defines her success. As her
participated in many sports
current classes have become
including volleyball, lacrosse,
more competitive throughout the
cross country, and track, to name
years, she has noticed a degree of
a few. Rebekah has always found
comparability among peers. If
success in various ways. She
one friend receives a score, while
believes that success comes from another friend receives a better the motivation and drive to do
score, students often feel less
things. Her happiness does not
successful. While this may prove
depend on success, but vice
difficult, Rebekah tries not to
versa. To feel truly accomplished
compare herself to others,
one must love what they do,
because everyone has their own
which Rebekah aims to do
version of success. Success is not
everyday. During her sophomore
one measurable thing, it cannot
year of highschool, she decided to
be compared nor judged by any individual. While students sometimes compare success, rebekah also sees this with her upcoming college admissions process. The pressure surrounding ACT scores and GPAs encourages students to base their personal success off of grades. College admissions have become more competitive, and Rebekah has experienced this firsthand. With two other siblings in college, she has seen how happiness matters in life. When choosing a profession, one must consider whether or not they will love what they do. As she starts applying to colleges, Rebekah will take this into account and not determine her future based on a test score.
Works Cited “Free Image on Pixabay - Clapperboard, Film, Movie, Cut.” Clapperboard Film Movie · Free Vector Graphic on Pixabay, pixabay.com/en/clapperboard-film-movie-cut-311792/.
Goalcast. “Top 12 Most Inspiring Leonardo DiCaprio Quotes.” Goalcast, 15 Nov. 2016, www.goalcast.com/2016/11/11/top-12-inspiring-leonardo-dicaprio-quotes/.
Jenkins, Lee. "Sportsperson of the Year LEBRON JAMES. (Cover Story)." Sports Illustrated, vol. 125, no. 20, 19 Dec. 2016, p. 32. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,custuid&custid =infohio&db=f5h&AN=120180384&site=ehost-live. Richardson, Julia and Michael B. Arthur. "Just Three Stories": The Career Lessons behind Steve Jobs' Stanford University Commencement Address." Journal of Business & Management, vol. 19, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 45-57. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,custuid&custid=infohi o&db=buh&AN=108357849&site=ehost-live. Scheinfeld, Michael. “Forrest Gump - Movie Review.” Common Sense Media: Ratings, Reviews, and Advice, Common Sense Media, 9 July 2003,
www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/forrest-gump. “Soul Surfer (2011).” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt1596346/. “Success Quotes Archives.” RateTheQuote, www.ratethequote.com/category/success-quotes. University, Stanford. “Text of Steve Jobs' Commencement Address (2005).” Stanford News, 12 June 2017, news.stanford.edu/2005/06/14/jobs-061505/. VITI, LUCIA. "BETHANY Hamilton. (Cover Story)." American Fitness, vol. 31, no. 4, Jul/Aug2013, p. 32. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,custuid&custid=infohi o&db=f5h&AN=88458677&site=ehost-live.