What I Thought Success Was — and What It Actually Is Now

When I was a teenager, I had a crystal-clear image of what success looked like.
To me, it meant being rich — in the material, shiny, show-it-off kind of way.
I dreamed of the corner office, power suits, sleek cars, and luxury vacations.
I wanted a high-rise life: five-star dinners, first-class flights, and a business card with an impressive title.

Success was hustle. Success was status. Success was proving myself.

I chased that vision for years — working longer hours, taking on more projects, constantly climbing toward more. I thought the finish line would feel like arrival. I thought once I had it, I’d feel fulfilled.

But life, as it does, had a different plan.
It stripped things away. It slowed me down.
It brought loss, grief, and perspective — and with it, a new definition of success I could’ve never imagined back then.

Today, rich looks completely different.

Rich is evenings around the table with people I love — simple meals, full hearts, deep laughter.
It’s slow mornings, the kind where you actually taste your coffee.
It’s running into an old friend in town and picking up right where you left off.
It’s spontaneous road trips to familiar places that hold your memories.
It’s a local restaurant with unforgettable taquitos, served with passion by the owner who knows your name.
It’s long walks at dusk, watching the sun kiss the mountains goodnight.

Success now isn’t about the corner office — it’s about creating a life that feels like home.
It’s balance. It’s presence.
It’s the ability to work with purpose, but also know when to shut it down and truly live.

It’s making an impact — not for applause, but because it matters.
It’s inspiring, empowering, and lifting others up.
It’s mentoring, volunteering, and showing up for people the way others once showed up for me.

Some of the most powerful role models in my life weren’t the loudest or the wealthiest — they were the ones who gave their time, their wisdom, and their presence. They were community builders, patient encouragers, and steady voices in seasons of growth and becoming.
They didn’t chase spotlight — they built legacy.
And that’s what I want too.

So no — I didn’t end up in a high-rise office.
I ended up in something better.
I ended up grounded.
Connected.
Rich, in every way that matters.

Success now is alignment. It’s peace. It’s integrity.
And it’s showing up for this life — not to impress, but to fully live it.