Editorial Column

Standing on the Olympic podium, the gold medallist grins down smugly and waves to the crowd. One step down, the silver medallist clings onto his medal, looking happy, but at the same time, not so. At the lowest step, the bronze medallist smiles genuinely and looks just as happy as the gold medallist does.

It is a common belief to all that happiness is determined by how much credit you get. And here I am today, to oppose in this sort of thinking. While this mentality makes us more competitive, which is, by all means, a possible good thing, if it makes you work harder, it can also turn around and bite you back. You see, when the need, the craving of triumph is driven into your head, it makes it harder for us to be grateful for the things we have.

So, why is the silver medallist less happier than the bronze? After all, he is a spot above. But although this is true, what about the person on gold? There is always someone "better" than you that you will compare yourself with. In fact, studies have shown that bronze medallists are usually happier, more grateful than the silver. Why? Because while the silver medallist overthinks what he should have done instead to get gold, the bronze-getters are grateful that they even got a medal at all.

But we can change the way we think. Sitting around, waiting for life to improve in the future isn't just delusional, it's utterly useless. Instead, work hard for what you believe in and be grateful for everything you have. Instead of focusing on why you didn't get a better score or result, take the time to think about what you could improve on.

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What is success? Is it fame or money? Is it knowledge or accomplishment?

I decided to explore this subject after Mr Stevenson asked us what success is during class time. I replied without hesitation, "Knowledge, of course. Knowledge is power." Only now have I come to realise just how wrong I was. Alright, it is good to take a lesson away, after all, the moral compass is important, but I have found that I agree with other definitions.

You see, many see success as the first rung on the ladder to fame, but does fame and being rich really mean that much in a world like today? There is a saying that goes like this; "It does not matter how far up you climb on the ladder if it is resting on the wrong wall" (Sorry if it is not word-for-word exact). A lot of people like to see themselves as more superior to others, for they have power and money. But that's where their wrong. You don't have to have anything more than your determination and self-setting goals to be successful in life. Success is a feeling of self-accomplishment, when you triumph after striving with determination for your goal.

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