KidSpirit

(Mis)perceptions of Success

FulfillmentGlobal Beat

Success is a relative term. For you, it might mean becoming your country’s prime minister; for me, it might mean becoming a middle school teacher. Success is determine by what you want to do, what you are passionate about, what makes you happy. It is defined by who you aspire to be . . . not what others want you to do.

However, the perception of success is quite different in my community. Success in Pakistan is generally a limited term in the parent’s eye. To become a doctor or an engineer is seen as the only path to the road of success and prosperity. As inconceivable and unfathomable as this may seem, parents argue that they have invested their entire lives in their children and the children must repay them somehow. Also, there’s nothing more pleasurable than saying your child is a doctor; the look of envy from the other parents is more than enough of an award and accomplishment. Becoming a doctor or engineer is the epitome of success for our Pakistani parents. Especially for the poor and unfortunate people in our country, their only wish for their children is to break away from the shackles of poverty and become successful. They don’t want their children to endure the hardships and torment that they have faced, hence they pressure them into a certain profession. They only want what’s best for their child, and becoming a doctor or an engineer is a well-respected, well-paying job!

So what is the dilemma? Parents are so blinded by what they think is best for their children that they never ask them what they want to do. Some may have a fervor for art, others may be passionate about astronomy. Whatever you are passionate about, pursue it. As hard as it might be to not follow the path your parents have laid out for you, I urge you to follow your passion, and success will follow. Would you rather spend your life doing something your heart was never set on, filled with regret and anguish, or would you rather take control of your life and become whomever it is you want to be!

So, no, I do not agree with my community’s vision of success, but we can be the torch bearers of changing the definition. So I have a simple favor to ask all of you, as cheesy and cliché as it seems: follow your dreams and never give up on yourself!

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you’ll be successful." -Albert Schweitzer

Zahra Bano is a 14-year-old from Lahore, Pakistan. She is currently a year 10 student at Lahore Grammar School. She absolutely loves astronomy and hopes to be an astrophysicist one day! She is an avid reader who is extremely passionate about scientific research.

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Art by Jaden Flach, Brooklyn