What's your personal definiton of "success?"

Dear Maj Burns,

My healthy, happy, beautiful, intelligent, educated, and successful daughter. My marriage to my deeply wonderful, romantic, and loving man who was regrettably killed flying into very hot LZ to evacuate our wounded. Taking care of my people. Getting my people out of a really bad situation rapidly going south when they desperately needed help. Rewarding career extending well beyond usual and customary retirement age. The prospect of an active, happy, and productive retirement with grand children. Resources to put my daughter and grandchildren through college and their first home together with enough left over so they will never worry about having a roof over their head, food on their table, and security from harm. In the end, being a participant and witness to interesting historical developments and major change both good and evil around the world. The resources to travel virtually anywhere in the world. Lifelong friends. Thirty year old single malt. Good health.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Oh wow, this is always a loaded question for me sir, especially since I'm turning 27 soon. &nbsp;I struggled for several years after high school because I felt that I hadn't accomplished anything worthwhile in my short lifetime. &nbsp;Some of it was not living up to my parent's expectations (my mother passed away from cancer some years ago, and it was difficult knowing that dropping out of college, partying all the time, and generally being a terrible kid disappointed her terribly). &nbsp;Several of the friends I kept up with were going to college, getting degrees, landing great jobs or opening up their own business, getting married, having kids, etc. &nbsp;It took a long time for me to be okay with the idea that I'm moving at my own pace, and precisely in the direction that I need to go.<br><br>I think for young men and women my age, it's very important to keep some perspective on the term "success." &nbsp;There is so much inherent pressure in the years following high school to go to a top university, get at least a Bachelor's degree, find a great job, solve world hunger, save the planet, etc. &nbsp;It's at the point where some sociologists now say that discouraged young men and women from between 24 to 30 experience a "quarter life crisis," because we quite literally have no idea what we're doing or where we're going. &nbsp;I've had the pleasure of knowing many brilliant people over the past years, but some of them just don't know what they want to do with themselves.<br><br>To me, it's important to remember that my best years are still to come. &nbsp;My personal success is measured by whether or not I'm actively working towards my short-term and long-term goals. &nbsp;If I don't make it to those goals, well, that's fine, because I'm sure whatever I'll get myself into next will probably be just as fascinating as the past five years have been.

To me success cannot be defined in just one way. It is not a destination its the journey. More to the point, how you go about your journey. Success is having a goal in mind and remaining focused on that goal until it is achieved. Regardless of how much trial and error, or how many road blocks you may encounter. Success is having a belief or ideal and maintaining that belief or ideal in the face of adversity. Success is having the courage to face your fears and conquering that fear. Success is fighting for a cause you know to be just despite overwhelming opposition. Success is believing in someone you know to be righteous despite what a majority may think. I could go on but I won't, instead I'll leave you with a quote from a great leader.

"I firmly believe that any mans finest hour -- his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear -- is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious"

- Coach Vincent T. Lombardi