There are two types of people in this world. Some seek to live their lives to the fullest, giving it all they have since they only have one life. Others pursue a subtle and comfortable life, also because they have one life to spend. The idea that you have only one life to live is the same, while individuals interpret it differently. It is not a matter of right or wrong, but more about each person’s conviction.

I believe in the former, a life without regret after doing everything I can do with my abilities. I worry about a future where I may regret my past actions. But at the same time, I have hope towards my future, as infinite possibilities of how my life may turn out overwhelmingly excite me. I always imagine a day of my final moments in this world. I envisage this day to be in two alternate scenarios: a beautiful day with my family and friends, looking at the setting sun and knowing that I have lived my life without regret, or a sorrowful day without anyone beside me, regretting I could’ve done something different. If anyone asks me how I would like my last day to be, I will choose the happy ending without a doubt. I want my life’s conclusion to be like all childhood fairy tale stories. I want to be the hero of my life, someone who wrote their own story. This is my definition of success, the very reason I keep moving forward. It is the reason why I don’t look back in the past and why I climb up from rock bottom. Even when life’s obstacles try to knock me down every day, every hour, every second, and every moment, I get back up and never stop. I don’t ever stop in my journey to that imaginative last day. Until I reach the final day that I imagine everyday of being in, I won’t consider myself anything close to being successful.

Society teaches us the glory of fame and wealth. But one thing it doesn’t teach is the true meaning of being successful and wealthy. Bob Marley, a musical legend, once responded to a question in an interview, asked if he is rich, and had many possessions. He answered, “Possessions make you rich? I don’t have that type of riches. My riches is life forever.” Society constantly makes us believe in materialistic affluence and how financial prosperity defines success. But for me, the definition of success is the smiles at the last moments of your life, knowing that you had a good life. No matter who you compare your life to, if you feel in that final moment that you did everything that you could to live your life to the fullest without any regrets, you are a successful person.