Over Spring Break I did a lot of reading that was indirectly related to psychology, and one of the books I read was You Learn by Living by Eleanor Roosevelt. I was amazed and pleased to learn that so much of her thinking fell right under the psychology umbrella!
Although there are dozens of things I could post that relate to the topics we’ve been studying, I’m going to post one that seems appropriate for the end of the semester. As graduation approaches, hopefully people are pondering just what it is that they want from life and just what it means to be a success.
Read what Mrs. Roosevelt said and respond to it. “Success must include two things: the development of an indivudal to his utmost potentiality and a contribution of some kind to one’s world….To leave the world richer – that is the ultimate success.”
So what do you think? Was she right? And what about you? Are you positioned on a path that will lead to the development of your potential and encourage your contribution to the world?
We're psychology instructors (Jayne, Mark, Myles, Katie-in order of our being hired) at a community/technical college who are energized and excited by psychology and its applications to daily life. After all, what's the point of knowing about synapses unless the knowledge improves your understanding of moods, disorders, and memory (to name a few).
We've found that just about everything relates in some form or fashion to the science of human behavior, and it's our goal to help others to see that. Accordingly, we'll be posting opinions, comments, and questions and hoping that you'll respond. We'll also provide links to relevant articles and websites to further increase your knowledge
16 responses so far ↓
Diane Giddings // August 25, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I would have to say I do believe in this saying “tough times never last but people do”. My grandma is 89yrs old. Let me tell you she has lived through some tough times incuding the depression and losing her husband in war and raising 6 children alone. All that being said when we look at her we see her as a strong and amazing women. We tend to focus on what she has done and her acomlishments in life rather than the tough times. They are gone for her that season of her life is over.
What a fabulous role model for her family.Lisa Irene // May 5, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I believe that she was right and I truly wish that more believe could read that quote. Success should never be based on wealth or social status but unfortunately it is in todays world. You can not live a good life unless you have money is what everyone is thinking but thats not true money doesnt buy you happiness. I was talking to my mother the other day and she was asking me would I still want to be with my fiance if he wasnt going in the path of success that he is now. I was shocked, and upset that she would even ask me such a question. So I told her that he could be working third shift at a plant but because I love him I would still be with him. Its so sad that people today think that money has everything to do with ones success. I dont know about anybody else but when I am dead and gone I want people to remember me for what I did to change the world even if it was the little things in life rather than what kind of house, job, car, etc I had while I was alive.
Spencer K. // April 30, 2009 at 7:18 pm
“Success is a big house, a fat bank account, a fast car and a hot woman.” I once heard success defined by an acquaintance as preceding items. I have not seen him in a while, but by his own definition he is a failure. However, he does have something, while perhaps not “success” in his mind, that I would value more.
My acquaintance, whom we will call John, lives in a small apartment in Columbia, and while he makes a living, is not moving to a mansion anytime soon. What he doesn’t have in dollars, he makes up for in loyal friends. Eleanor Roosevelt had it right I believe, and John has at least succeeded partly by her philosophy. He has “made the world richer” for his friends, and for many in the community, providing hundreds of hours of voluntary community service.
John’s definition of success has changed somewhat, and now includes helping others and having true friends. Personally I would agree, that though he has not yet reached his full potential, he has changed at least the world of those he knows for the better.
Nassir Morrison // April 30, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I believe that this is true because to be successful you have to strive and be determined. You have to apply everything that you learned from experiences and education and put it to good use. I believe that when you work hard and do what you have to do to get where you are you deserve success. When you become successful I believe that you should give back to your community and those in need. This shows that you are a responsible person and generous as well. This also shows that you have grown into a person who is in their full potential in life. Even if you help just one person you have become successful in life, for this shows growth. For example: Beyonce Knowles is one of the world known music artist of her time. She have had a lot of success during her career and is still going strong. She gives back to the world by doing community service and helping the people in Africa. She has reached her full potential and therefore has received great success.
Kevin Hendrix // April 24, 2009 at 12:31 am
Eleanor Roosevelt was right on the money about success. Success is what you have done in life not what you have. Sure material things are nice but it don’t make the person. We came into this world with nothing and will leave the same way, but the memories we leave behind is the true measure of the type of person we really are and how successful we were. I personally like to think that my life has been a success so far. Sure I have failed at somethings but I have also had much success in life. I have saved lives, brought a life into this world. I was a firefighter for eight years till I made to decision to come back to school to become a Nurse. And I hope and pray that as my life continues that I can continue to have success, and continue to contribute to society. I don’t measure my success on what I have or the money that I have made, but on the impressions that I have left on the people that I have met in my life time. And I hope and pray that it has been a positive one, and I hope and pray that I can continue to make positive differences in many more peoples lives.
Houston Boyd // April 22, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Success is profusely what you make of your life. Every person has or has had at one time been able to live up to some dream. Reaching the dreams that one lives up to can be considered success. Something as simple as maintaining a marriage, however, can be considered success. Or perhaps you passed a class; that is also success. Success comes in many forms and although not easily accomplished, should be ones’ primary goal in life. I do believe as Eleanor Roosevelt in that the ultimate success is leaving something behind for the next generation. Her idea says it all. There is no point in doing something if time is wasted. We must take the initiative to recognize what we are doing in order to succeed. If anything, be an example to the next generation; it is very much needed. I see myself on the way to a high standard of success. Although I have succeeded at many things in my life, I know there are so many more obstacles I am ready to climb through. What is amazing is that after we climb through them, on the other side we reach success.
Brittany Haygood // April 22, 2009 at 3:23 pm
“Success must include two things: the development of an indivudal to his utmost potentiality and a contribution of some kind to one’s world….To leave the world richer – that is the ultimate success.” This is very true. Im my eyes, i see success as acheiving a long term life goal and the feeling you get once you have reached that goal whether it means you make a lot or a little bit of money. I dont agree with the money part because sometimes when i just stop and look around, material things mean nothing. People who have nice things and flaunt it all the time usually have a lot of dept. Then again, some do not and actually work for what they have and have every right in the world to be proud of what they have and to show it off because they reached their goal in life and it does pay off. I am currently going to school to get my RN because i love helping people. If i go through with it and make it all the way, that will be something i get to thrive for, the feeling of success. It makes you feel so goos about yourself and just makes your whole aroma better and you a better person to be around. When i was little, i was in gymnastics pretty religously. I never missed a day Monday to Sunday. I worked my behind off to make it where i made it and in those meets standing on the first place podium, that was the feeling to success to me so maybe it dosent always have to do with money…you can feel this feeling through many things in life.
Brandi // April 22, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I believe that it is very important to do both t succeed in life. If you continue to develop yourself you wil get stronger and smarter, but will continue till the day you leave this plane. There is always something new to study and always something new to try. So, just when you think you have reached the top you meet someone that is higher than you and you will strive to reach that level. Contribution is something everyone should do. “helping your fellow man” is a saying we all hear, but not enough react on it. I have been working in community service for many years and nothing makes me feel better. Many people give money and that is good and all, but time helping is much more appreciated by those who are in the need the most.
Kalyn // April 22, 2009 at 1:03 am
I just first have to say how much I love Eleanor Roosevelt. She has to be one of the strongest and wisest women I have heard of. I think she has a very good point. A person can do a lot of things in their lifetime, but if it isn’t building their potential, than it wasn’t really all that challenging in the first place, right? She kinda sounds like a more sophisticated ARMY slogan…”be the best that you can be”. And with the second part, it wouldn’t kill anyone to try to make the world better. As far as the last question, I think I am on a path that helps me develop my potential. Everyday I am being challenged and I meet those challenges head on.
Donna Amerson // April 22, 2009 at 12:37 am
I agree with Mrs. Roosevelt. I believe that one can contribute to one’s world just by being a good and law abiding citizen, by doing onto others as you would have them do unto you (golden rule). Also living up to your potential makes you a better adjusted person in all ways. Therefore you enrich one’s world. I think that Mrs. Roosevelt was a lovely women who lived up to and beyond her potential. I have read her biography and was totally impressed by her as a women, wife, and first lady.
Christy // April 21, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I really appreciate Eleanor Roosevelt’s distinction “to one’s world….” Enriching the entire world is something that may leave some feeling inadequate to affect a change on such a large scale. I’m not at all saying that it’s impossible, because we all know that it is possible to accomplish something like that. However, in all honesty, I don’t think that anything that I do or accomplish in my life will affect my nation as a whole or the world. I’m just trying to be realistic about my life.
What I like about her phrasing is that she indicates that, if nothing else, I can leave my own world richer if I put my mind to it. I used to think of a legacy as something tangible that one left behind for either the world or for one’s family or children, but lately, I feel more and more (probably because of my faith) that I would love for my legacy to be leaving behind children who are kind-hearted, who care about the people in their lives and who are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone to help someone in need. I think that something like that will have a lasting effect on someone’s world, even if it’s not my own. I don’t know what my children will do after I’m gone, but I hope that they are successful in changing the world for the better, even if it’s the world of only one individual.
When I think of my friend who encouraged me to go back to school, I look at what he does and what his wife does. They have regular jobs, they work hard and they go to church and spend time with their families. They aren’t getting Nobel Peace Prizes or bringing home award winning photos of atrocities occurring in other countries in order to prevent those terrible things from happening and they aren’t finding a cure for cancer. Just by encouraging me, they have changed my world for the better, and the world of my kids. I guess that’s what I mean when I say that I hope my kids will do the same for someone else.
I might be misreading this, but it seems to me that the more you wrote, the more you realized that indeed you are already working to make the world a richer, better place. Is there a finer legacy than to raise responsible, caring children??Nicole Corbett // April 21, 2009 at 3:28 pm
for some reason this quote reminds me of this upcoming holiday, earth day. when i think of myself and my potential, i believe that i can put all my knowledge about something about the earth and show it to the world. anyone has the potential to do what they dream of, and thats only if they try to their fullest strength. for me, my dream is to become either a dental hygienist or a doctor assistant in the delivery room. i know if i study with all my ability, i can get to where i want. when i get to where i want, i know that will give me more of an assentive to strive for even more in life. this quote fills my mind with a lot of things, and im glad that i read it.
If Earth Day had been a reality when Mrs. Roosevelt lived, I feel certain that she would have become involved with it. She was such a humanitarian, giving, caring person who wanted to make and leave the world a better place for everyone, not just a select few.pochp // April 21, 2009 at 3:34 am
Maybe, saying ‘leaving the world better or wiser’
would be more correct.
Leith McGuire // April 21, 2009 at 2:21 am
Well there can be two different meaning to leaving the world richer. The one reason most would think of which deals with money and riches. The other reason with I lean towards is richer in knowledge and smarts.
I believe that Roosevelt is right in the fact that sucess is based on the development of an indivudal to his utmost potentiality, and a contribution of some kind to one’s world. Roosevelt hits a key point in that people want to make a difference. Well some people. I know that I want to do good in life.
Im not sure if I or anyone is on the right path to change something in the world. I believe it happens with out knowing it. Everyday I treat people well and say hello politely. I dont know of anything that I have done that can drastically change something or someone, but I hope that one day I will. So Roosevelt is correct, but not about leaving the world richer is the ultimate success.
Maybe now you're thinking of your legacy in a more conscious way. Hope so.Justin Robinson // April 20, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I think what Eleanor Roosevelt said is absolutley true. I don’t think success should be measured by how much money you have, what kind of car you drive, what kind of job you have, etc. Success should be measured by how you grow as a person and how you contribute to the world. Many people think that success is based on the amount of material things you have or how valuable the material things you have are. That is their opinion and they are entitled to it, but I don’t believe success is based on material things. Whenever you die and leave the world, your material things will stick around for a while, but they will eventually disappear. The contributions you made to the world and how you were and developed as a person are the things that people will remember you by. If you developed to your highest potential and left positive contributions to the world, then you have succeded.
Great post. I've often heard the platitude, "You can't take it with you," and I agree (of course). What you made me think about is that after a while most of the creations left by us are gone. Buildings crumble, monuments fall, and entire civilizations disappear.pochp // April 20, 2009 at 4:06 pm
‘Are you positioned on a path that will lead to the development of your potential and encourage your contribution to the world?’
Wise question that makes one think.
And what has it made you think about yourself and your unique contributions?