Stand well back, I am spitting tacks.
It's all to do with an item on the radio news this morning. Apparently some bright little sparks with nothing better to do have worked out a way of knowing whether you're successful or not. Apparently if you're a success, you -
are married,
have children,
earn at least £50,000 a year, (which is about twice the average wage in the UK), and
own a house worth at least £250,000
I was speechless. Who works these things out? More to the point, how?
So, you can be a ruthless money-grabber on to your third marriage with an alcohol problem and a criminal record, but that's OK, you're a success. You can alienate everyone around you, cheat, lie, and manipulate, but if you do it with a house and money in the bank, well done you.
On the other hand, for all the single people who have dedicated their lives to caring - sorry. If you have no children of your own but are a warm-hearted aunt/uncle to other people's, you're not there. All those of you who've worked hard and served your communities all your lives, if you live in sheltered accommodation you're not on the success list. If you've chosen to live with little money but great job satisfaction, you don't make the grade. Sister Frances Dominica, founder of the first children's hospice in the UK, sorry to tell you this, but... and that goes for you too, John Bell of the Iona Community, Anne Widdecombe, and all the other people the blog readers can add to this list. In fact, byt his standard some of my favourite people are failures.
Either this survey has failed, or I have. I think if you live with a generous heart and make the world better for being in it, that's success. But maybe I never understood the word.
3 comments:
No, Margi, I think you've got it right!
My grandparents were sharecroppers and never had much materially, but the love that flowed from that house was something! The food was simple, but there was always enough for anyone who happened by. The rooms were always full with cousins who were staying awhile or aunt so in so who wasn't feeling very well. I saw their kindness, and realized it was a virtue I needed to possess. PEOPLE are what matter, not wealth or status. People who invest themselves into other people's lives ARE the successes.
(Debbie quietly steps down from soapbox)
Deborah--amen!
Debbie steps down from the soapbox to wild applause from Kaitlin, me,and all like-minded people!
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