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Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan

0 posted 2002-07-26 02:56 PM


***How Do We Measure Success?***



    

How do we measure success
in diamonds and furs and cash
or custom tailored expensive dress?

who is most likely to succeed
the high school nerd with coke bottle glasses
or the athlete performing with grace and speed?

the business tycoon with his big cigar
or the talented artist who loves to paint
enjoying his job, but less moneyed...by far?

    


if success is to have a measure
would it be in dollars you earn
or the joy you take in living life's pleasures?

money will take you only so far
a big fancy house in the burbs
with heated garage for all of your cars

true diamonds lie in your soul
jewels of thought and wisdom
and closeness of family as you grow old

if you do what you love and love what you do
the keys of success
will be handed to you

  
***





Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks


[This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (07-26-2002 02:58 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Lyra Nesius - All Rights Reserved
N orth Carolina Girl
Senior Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 962
NC,USA
1 posted 2002-07-26 03:16 PM


Lyra,

  All I have to do is look at my family and friends like you.I would rather be rich in my heart than in my pocketbook.WONDERFUL POEM! TAKE CARE!


Love,

Juanita

"always have a smile on your face it makes people wonder what you`re up to:

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

2 posted 2002-07-26 03:33 PM


I'm thinking having both is certainly a possibility.  Very timely write for me, Lyra.  Love your insight, as always!

Sig strike in process...grab a sign and let's walk around in circles.

Lady In White
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since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799
USA
3 posted 2002-07-26 03:34 PM



A lot of my success comes in the pleasure
I have in reading and writing and being
among my Passionate friends...

NewEnglandlazurlu
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470
A Mountain Paradise
4 posted 2002-07-26 03:35 PM


Lyra, this is wonderful and I especially love the picture cartoons. A concept my husband and I have tried very hard to teach our children.

And it seems to be one that many of our country's corporate heads didn't learn. Pity!!!

Hugs, Marti

"Even if life is full of thorns, I still embrace it for I know that in between those thorns, there is a rose worth all the pain."

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
5 posted 2002-07-26 03:48 PM



What a wonderful write Lyra!
And...I would say you know you are successful
when you get your own icon!!
YIPPEE!!  I love it!
~Hugs, Nancy~

Magnus
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Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
6 posted 2002-07-26 03:57 PM


To me...success is not measured by what you
have but what is in your heart...And your
heart carries a treasure we all have been
very fortunate to have shared a part of..

Thank You Lyra....

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
7 posted 2002-07-26 09:56 PM


Lyra, this is a wonderful poem. Doing what you love to do and loving what you do is indeed the greatest success.
Mistletoe Angel
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Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
8 posted 2002-07-26 10:00 PM




(smiles) Oh Lyra, this is wonderful, sweet friend, I am so proud of you and your new cute icon, you should be so proud of yourself, YAY!!! (kiss on cheek) When I grow up I want to spend a lifetyime living what makes me happy, even if I end up living in a house that doesn't look that pretty! I want to spend my life making myself happy and not becoming avarice! (big huggssssss) nThis is delightful, sweet friend, you go Lyra, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Lyra, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

ShadowRider
Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038
USA
9 posted 2002-07-26 11:43 PM


a measure of happiness
is the depth and wealth
of a smile
and a helping hand

Well put
well said
felt and writ.  So shall it be written
so shall it be so.

(goobin', as usual, on a Friday night.  Hi ya ol' munkster!  I've missed ya
  and your wit, wisdom and wryness.)
~poverty hugs~
jeff

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
10 posted 2002-07-26 11:59 PM


It can't be said any better than you just did.  It is something we all have heard and probably know.....but how many of us refuse to listen to it until it is too late.  Wonderful thoughts from an obvious beautiful heart.  
Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
11 posted 2002-07-27 12:47 PM


What a very successful poem you've written!

Nan(Pilgrim variety)

Neeraja
Senior Member
since 2002-06-22
Posts 812
The Netherlands
12 posted 2002-07-27 02:03 AM


True wisdom in this poem!!!  Wise words Lyra!!!  Enjoyed the presentation as well!!!



Neeraja

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
13 posted 2002-07-27 05:55 AM



How true this is...and I love your new images...both in the upper left corner, and the smaller one also in the upper left corner...great way to start my day, seeing you pop up like that!

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
14 posted 2002-07-27 08:13 AM


I love your final stanza, Lady Chipmunk... HappiNess does truly come from within...

Well said, m'friend..

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
15 posted 2002-07-27 08:26 AM


Lyra,
Agree with mark and yourself on this one.
if you do what you love and love what you do
the keys of success
will be handed to you

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
16 posted 2002-07-27 10:46 AM


Lyra

For a chipmunk you sure are wise.  Loved this!

sodpossom
Senior Member
since 2001-06-15
Posts 723
N.C
17 posted 2002-07-27 12:45 PM


Lyra

I loved this one.In my life I measure my success by how many tons of trash I haul.lol

[This message has been edited by sodpossom (07-27-2002 06:16 PM).]

Goodknight
Member Elite
since 2002-06-15
Posts 2386
Ohio, USA
18 posted 2002-07-27 01:17 PM


Lyra - a wonderful poem with much wisdom and wonderful thoughts - just loved it!!! I love your icon!!!  Paul
Zinsser
Senior Member
since 2001-02-27
Posts 1641
Calif.
19 posted 2002-07-27 01:21 PM


Loved this write.....
~~ Connie ~~

Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
20 posted 2002-07-27 02:59 PM


Madame - I agree, for a chipmunk you are most wise. I would measure success by the peace within...

BC

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
21 posted 2002-07-27 03:28 PM


Juanita,  thanks so much for replying...
If there were ever to be a perfect example of this poem, its you and your family.

I think that most people who met ya'll would certainly be envious.  Ya'll are the richest people I've ever known b'cause there is so much love in your hearts and its so obvious to everyone who meets your family.
~ chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
22 posted 2002-07-27 03:30 PM


Duncan...thanks so much for your reply.
I think it might be possible to have both, but probably not too easy because monetary wealth often (but not always) involves some degree of greed.
~ selfish chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
23 posted 2002-07-27 03:31 PM


Thanks Lady in White...
I happen to agree with you 100% which is actually what the inspiration for this poem was.
~ poetic hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
24 posted 2002-07-27 03:36 PM


Marti...thanks so much, and we have also tried to teach that to our children.  Victor has finally learned the lesson.....the hard way.  
He has decided to give up law, and become a physics professor.  He is all set up to get his M.A. from Michigan State, starting in December....they even have a teaching fellowship reserved for him.  He then plans to get a Ph.D. in physics.
He makes a LOT of money as a real estate lawyer in NYC, but is feeling burned out and he also hates NYC.  When I was first diagnosed, I asked him if he wanted to come back home and practice law here, and he thought about it and decided that he would like to come back home...but he wasn't sure about pracicing law anymore.  He is planning to keep his license active though...just in case he changes his mind.  But he has always wanted to make lots of money and has finally learned that there are more important things in life...  Fortunately, he's young enough to start fresh.
~ chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
25 posted 2002-07-27 03:40 PM


Thanks Nancy...
I'm glad you like my new icon, but just because its a chipmunk doesn't mean that I have exclusive rights to it...
I didn't see my name written on it anywhere, so I guess if anyone else wants to use the chipmunk icon, they are invited to.
~ spinning chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
26 posted 2002-07-27 03:42 PM


Thank you so much for your very kind words, Barry...
but I have to tell ya....
Whats in my heart right now...is acorns...
I'm a hungry chipmunk.
~ laughing hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
27 posted 2002-07-27 03:45 PM


Thanks so much, Sue...
It is good advice isn't it!  I wish I would follow it, myself.....but I'm gonna try.
~ hugs from a chipmunk dude

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
28 posted 2002-07-27 03:46 PM


Thanks for your very kind words, Noah...
and I have no doubt that you will follow the right path and that you will be very successful.
~ warm chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
29 posted 2002-07-27 03:47 PM


Thanks for the cute little verse, Jeff...
I've been here...but you haven't...so I've missed you too.
~ hugs from the heart of a chipmunk

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
30 posted 2002-07-27 03:48 PM


Thanks so much, Mark...for your reply and also for that very kind compliment.
~ grinning chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
31 posted 2002-07-27 03:51 PM


And what a successful reply, Nan...
I'm glad you are still a pilgrim variety, but I hope that you have no plans to eat chipmunks at thanksgiving.
~ hugs from a chipmunk caught in the headlights

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
32 posted 2002-07-27 03:52 PM


Thanks so much, Neeraja...
I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.
~ lots of chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
33 posted 2002-07-27 03:54 PM


Thanks so much, Karilea...
I will keep on popping up, as long as you read my work...
You, my dear friend....make me want to pop!
~ popping chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
34 posted 2002-07-27 03:56 PM


Thanks Nan...
Now I know where my keys to success went...
I think you took them with you this morning on that long train ride to Vancouver...
Please check and make sure that you have them because I sure miss them...
I guess I'll have another set of success keys made, then I won't have to worry.

Have a great trip and stay safe.
~ hugs from your friend the chipmunk

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
35 posted 2002-07-27 03:58 PM


Thanks so much, Sy...but I can't seem to find my keys to success lately.
~ scatterbrained chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
36 posted 2002-07-27 04:00 PM


Thanks so much, Martie...
but all chipmunks are wise.
We have to be because we are small, and there are a lot of predators out there in the woods.
But I guess this chipmunk is wise enough to know how to write poetry and also to type.
~ chipmunk thanking you hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
37 posted 2002-07-27 04:10 PM


Thanks so much, Stevie...

But I know that you are rich in your family's love, not in the amount of trash you haul each day.
~ trash hauling hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
38 posted 2002-07-27 04:12 PM


Thanks so much, Paul...for enjoying my poem and my new icon.
~ spinning chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
39 posted 2002-07-27 04:13 PM


Thanks so much for stopping by, Connie...
This chipmunk appreciates your reply.
~ happy chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
40 posted 2002-07-27 04:15 PM


Thanks so much, Bill...I agree, the amount of peace within...is an excellent measure.
And I will tell you as a caution...please beware...
ALL chipmunks are wise.  When you're this small in a big world...you have to be.
~ wise chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

NewEnglandlazurlu
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470
A Mountain Paradise
41 posted 2002-07-27 10:23 PM


Lyra, I believe as parents we try so hard to give our children morals and values and when they go out on their own we can only hope what we taught them has sunk in. For some, it takes longer to learn what's really important in life. I am so glad Victor is leaving NYC and returning to Michigan. It will be so good for you to have him closer to you.  

Hugs, Marti

"Even if life is full of thorns, I still embrace it for I know that in between those thorns, there is a rose worth all the pain."

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
42 posted 2002-07-28 05:30 PM


Thanks for the vote of confidence, Marti...
I am so happy that he is moving back to Michigan...even though he won't be in Kalamazoo, he will be only an hour and a half away, instead of being almost halfway across the country;  and with my future uncertain right now...that is very comforting.
~ lots of chipmunk hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

mycafe
Senior Member
since 2002-05-23
Posts 584

43 posted 2002-07-28 09:24 PM


You seem to have the best answer, Lyra...as written in your last stanza.  Wise thoughts you've shared!  

marie


Keep counting your blessings

[This message has been edited by mycafe (07-28-2002 09:25 PM).]

SimplyGold
Senior Member
since 2002-07-10
Posts 1453

44 posted 2002-07-28 10:08 PM


So true
Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
45 posted 2002-07-28 11:49 PM


Marie and Electra....
thanks so much for your kind words...
I guess that when you get as old as I am, you finally get some wisdom.
~ wise old hugs

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
46 posted 2002-07-29 10:54 AM


if you do what you love and love what you do
the keys of success
will be handed to you

Don't I wish! *S* I'd be handed my pink slip! LOL

Reading your great advice
I learn with misgiving
I'm not having a life...
I'm making a living!
For I love what I do
When shadowing Toe
But I need to pay rent
Or I'll be told to go!
And this poetry board
Is sure a great way
To spend every hour
But poems don't pay!
By the world's standards
I'm not a success
But I know the things
That bring happiness
And so I sell my soul
To the job every day
Then cherish my friends...
They're my heart's payday. *S*

I enjoyed this, Madame... even if I couldn't resist a bratty reply. *S*

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
47 posted 2002-07-29 01:12 PM


Thanks Suthern...
I love your little poem.
It looks like poetry is your real work, but your job is just something you do to support the poetry which is your real work.
~ hugs of success

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
48 posted 2004-11-05 03:19 PM


words to live by
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