Relevant Magazine did an interview with twenty-something producer of the new X-Men movie, Ralph Winter.
On top of liking the movie, I was especially impressed with his answer to the following question:
Can you define success for yourself?
Winter: Success I think for me as a person, is probably more about the journey I’m on as a follower of Christ, so that’s closely related to, you know, how I treat and relate to my wife and my kids, my church community. That’s the kind of stuff I think that lasts and will be important, I don’t think it’s about necessarily leaving a legacy of what movies I’ve made but, you know, it’s about relationships and about the person I’m becoming. That’s what success is about.
What about me? How do I define, measure, success on a daily basis? I wonder how many times I have pushed to create a “legacy” with my work instead of living “in the journey” – in the moment?
On top of challenging questions, now I have been provoked to deep thoughts by a Hollywood producer! What next?
1 Comment
August 20, 2009 at 6:42 pm
There is no legacy without a journey. Moreover, true spirituality is less measured than experienced and transforming.
“Success” = ORIGIN Latin successus, from succedere ‘come close after’. (Oxford)
The word Success has it’s origins in the words meaning the result of something else. In English the word has become to mean a status or achievement of particular goals. Whatever our goals are, our “success” in these terms will be weighed by this.
Now I assert something that Cecil, Chris, and I talk about in that professed goals and vision is at times different from acting goals and vision.
In the context of both the origins of the word success and the current relationship of accomplishment, the question is not whether or not you are “successful,” but what you are “successful” in.
A journey is always happening. What journey are you on? Are you aware of that journey? There will be success (the result of actions), but what actions and journey is there.
Without a journey there is no legacy.
As for the word legacy, it’s interesting that the definition merely means “something handed down from the past.” In English, the word legacy and success carry with it a positive term. However, I assert that they are allusive terms in our lives due to their broad definitions. We always leave a legacy and we always have success. What is your legacy and what are you succeeding in? Do you like it?