Success is defined by the culture in which you live. Wouldn't you say that is an accurate statement ? Meeting societal norms and expectations makes you successful. That has to be true , at least to the others people in that society. If you are acting in opposition to that society you certainly won't be considered a success. And so the challenge for each of us is to be aware of the expectations of that society. Having determined what those requirements to be we either accept them, strive to achieve them or attempt to modify them. The later action we often call progressive thinking, or social change. In the last few years a certain demographic began calling awareness being " woke. " Other segments of the population began to appropriate that term because of political correctness and it has entered the lexicon of the millennials.
How do we define societal norms ? Well, although an unpopular concept these days those norms are defined in the American society by Judeo-Christians teachings. They are the things that are expected morally and ethically in order to live within the society. America did become that great melting pot we read about in our history books. The key action being the " melting " of different cultures. They were blended into one society, the American society. The same behaviors were expected of all members of that society. When members of that society failed to live up to those expectations, or acted outside the norm, they were viewed differently. They weren't considered successful that much was certain. The society was not expected to change to suit them ! That is the big shift in thinking we are seeing today. Today there are many that say society has to change, adapt to each individual in the society. Those that are " woke " especially advocate for this action. What those folks fail to understand is what makes a society a society. A society shares, customs, laws and organizations. A society is a collective ! Yes, it contains individuals, but the individuals act for a common purpose. A society shares a common culture. That culture was formed by a melting together of individual morality and ethics into a whole. It is not a bunch of different cultures just glued together in a big lump. It is a whole, unified in a single culture.
So, if success is defined by the culture in which you live, you have to define the culture ! Isn't that just common sense ? It is, if that is how you are going to define success. But, is that how we are measuring success in today's world ? I would have to say it is not what is being taught to our young people. The millennials being " woke. " What is this woke ? The urban dictionary says it is a social awareness of injustices in the society. It began primarily with the African-American segment in America. There is no denying the social injustice that has taken place in the past. There is no denying that there are people that still harbor ill feelings towards black people, or any people different from themselves. We call that being prejudicial and it applies to everyone, not just black/white. The major complaint, the reason for discord is what ? Cultural differences.
And there you have it. Just what culture are you trying to be successful in ? You will never be successful in a culture that is counter to your own. It ain't gonna happen. If you are not willing to assimilate to the culture you will not be successful in that culture. It is that simple. But, if your measure of success is wealth or material things that changes the construct of the whole society. Is that the basis for the American society ? Is that what America has morphed into ? Is being a success in America solely dependent upon wealth and property ? Is that the goal of the society ? Or have we created a society where the only means for success lies with wealth and property ?
That would be the case if we eliminate the initial building block of that society, Judeo-Christian values and teachings. That would certainly alter the entire structure. Those first settlers came to this land to escape persecution in Europe. They came here to work hard, pursue their dreams and most importantly to them, practice their religious beliefs free from persecution. Different colonies formed as a result of that as well. We would look at them as denominations today, same basic teachings, but differences in practice. Culturally the expectations were the same. The expectation was a life ever after, that is the reward. That is why you strive to meet societal expectations and act within the norms of that society. It is the common goal ! That is success. Is success is a personal thing ? All depends upon the measurement doesn't it ? What are you measuring it against ? What is the standard ?
Culture defines that standard. But it only defines it to others in that society. In the end you have to define success for yourself. Before you can do that you must first decide what takes priority. Is it the culture in which you live, or is it a personal accomplishment ? Really depends on this. If you want to be remembered by the culture in which you lived you have to be a success in that culture, indeed exceeding the expectations of that culture. Or, you could be remembered for being a total failure as well. A criminal or mental defect. Or do you measure your success by personal accomplishments. Actions taken and not necessarily known to others. Have you remained faithful to your God ? Which is the more important ?
How do we define societal norms ? Well, although an unpopular concept these days those norms are defined in the American society by Judeo-Christians teachings. They are the things that are expected morally and ethically in order to live within the society. America did become that great melting pot we read about in our history books. The key action being the " melting " of different cultures. They were blended into one society, the American society. The same behaviors were expected of all members of that society. When members of that society failed to live up to those expectations, or acted outside the norm, they were viewed differently. They weren't considered successful that much was certain. The society was not expected to change to suit them ! That is the big shift in thinking we are seeing today. Today there are many that say society has to change, adapt to each individual in the society. Those that are " woke " especially advocate for this action. What those folks fail to understand is what makes a society a society. A society shares, customs, laws and organizations. A society is a collective ! Yes, it contains individuals, but the individuals act for a common purpose. A society shares a common culture. That culture was formed by a melting together of individual morality and ethics into a whole. It is not a bunch of different cultures just glued together in a big lump. It is a whole, unified in a single culture.
So, if success is defined by the culture in which you live, you have to define the culture ! Isn't that just common sense ? It is, if that is how you are going to define success. But, is that how we are measuring success in today's world ? I would have to say it is not what is being taught to our young people. The millennials being " woke. " What is this woke ? The urban dictionary says it is a social awareness of injustices in the society. It began primarily with the African-American segment in America. There is no denying the social injustice that has taken place in the past. There is no denying that there are people that still harbor ill feelings towards black people, or any people different from themselves. We call that being prejudicial and it applies to everyone, not just black/white. The major complaint, the reason for discord is what ? Cultural differences.
And there you have it. Just what culture are you trying to be successful in ? You will never be successful in a culture that is counter to your own. It ain't gonna happen. If you are not willing to assimilate to the culture you will not be successful in that culture. It is that simple. But, if your measure of success is wealth or material things that changes the construct of the whole society. Is that the basis for the American society ? Is that what America has morphed into ? Is being a success in America solely dependent upon wealth and property ? Is that the goal of the society ? Or have we created a society where the only means for success lies with wealth and property ?
That would be the case if we eliminate the initial building block of that society, Judeo-Christian values and teachings. That would certainly alter the entire structure. Those first settlers came to this land to escape persecution in Europe. They came here to work hard, pursue their dreams and most importantly to them, practice their religious beliefs free from persecution. Different colonies formed as a result of that as well. We would look at them as denominations today, same basic teachings, but differences in practice. Culturally the expectations were the same. The expectation was a life ever after, that is the reward. That is why you strive to meet societal expectations and act within the norms of that society. It is the common goal ! That is success. Is success is a personal thing ? All depends upon the measurement doesn't it ? What are you measuring it against ? What is the standard ?
Culture defines that standard. But it only defines it to others in that society. In the end you have to define success for yourself. Before you can do that you must first decide what takes priority. Is it the culture in which you live, or is it a personal accomplishment ? Really depends on this. If you want to be remembered by the culture in which you lived you have to be a success in that culture, indeed exceeding the expectations of that culture. Or, you could be remembered for being a total failure as well. A criminal or mental defect. Or do you measure your success by personal accomplishments. Actions taken and not necessarily known to others. Have you remained faithful to your God ? Which is the more important ?
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