What is your definition of success?

When I was a kid I always thought that being successful meant having loads of money. I thought that if you have a mansion and lots of cars, you are considered successful. But, after living with my family who never experienced skipping meals and goes to vacations every year, my definition of success changed.

I always have what I need laid out to me from the beginning. I didn't need to work for the things that I want, it was always given to me without the need of asking. In exchange, my parents were always busy. My brothers and sister strove for material things and I was always left behind to fetch for myself.

Growing up, love and affection were replaced with money. My family equate the nurture that they supposed to give me with tangible things. And for a while I questioned myself if it was what it meant to be successful.

It was until recently that I understood the true meaning of success. It was after meeting my now boyfriend and experiencing their life in the province. Their life was too simple. My boyfriend's father goes to the sea to fetch fish and his mother plant vegetables in the mountain. His brothers and sisters play together in puddles or run on the grassy land with gadgets or high-end toys. It was a tough life to an outsider and yet they still have time to eat meals together, have stories of their day and laugh.

After living for only a week in my boyfriend's province, I get to say that success doesn't mean money or degree or the things that you've gained. It meant contentment. You can be successful in life whatever your status maybe as long as you reached that contentment your heart desires.

How about you, what is your definition of success?