Exploring Success: A High School Class’s Journey

How do we measure success, especially when it comes to people we went to high school with? What does it mean to be successful, and how do we define success in our lives? Let's dive into a story that explores these questions through the lens of a graduating class of 150 students.

My graduating class was just 150 individuals, and as we reflect on our journeys, one striking observation stands out: only about 50% of us became successful, according to our definitions. Among my classmates, only one person achieved wealth, yet neither I nor they were overly concerned about it. Today, I remain close with a few of them, and over the years, the bond we share has only strengthened.

But what does success mean in a broader sense? It can vary significantly from one person to another, whether it's a successful mother, father, or grandparent, or a successful husband or wife. Success can also extend to being an author, singer, athlete, or even a trash collector. Everyone has their own criteria for what constitutes success.

Recently, after 50 years since we started together at high school, I reunited with five of my classmates. They are a farmer, a research chemist, an educator, a pharmacist, and an international advisor on economics. I, on the other hand, have been a design and development engineer, an advisor on race relations, an assistant to a sculptor in Spain, a teacher in the UK, India, Fiji, and Australia.

Do these career paths make me or my colleagues successful? From my perspective, while we may have achieved significant milestones and personal fulfillment, we are still content and happy with what we have accomplished. The relationships and friendships we have built and maintained over the years are just as important, if not more so. So, what more could we want?

There are broader perspectives to consider when discussing success. For instance, the concept of success can also extend to family members. My two rich uncles tragically lost their lives to suicide, a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of emotions and the pressures that can lead to such outcomes. This event underscores the importance of mental well-being and the impact of external factors on our lives.

In summary, success is a multifaceted and subjective concept that evolves over time. It's not just about financial wealth or professional achievements but also about personal growth, relationships, and contentment. The journey of our high school class serves as a poignant reminder that success comes in many forms and is deeply personal.