It’s the Journey, Not the Destination

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. – Booker T. Washington

I can’t tell you how many self-help tomes I’ve read where they say “It’s the journey, not the destination.”  Every time I read it I cringe, and yet here I am using it.  Well color me a hypocrite right?  Yes and no.  Your life goal is very important, and I’m all about success.  But success can’t come on the back of everyone else.

Booker T. Washington was born a slave, and at the time of his death, he was a well respected educator who had the ear of presidents.  His destination mattered, but so did his journey.  I’m not going to give you his life story, just know it was amazing.  He accomplished great things, but he didn’t walk over other people or use them to get to his destination. His journey was arduous at best, but his success didn’t come at the expense of others.

It’s the same for all of us.  It doesn’t matter where you started out.  You can achieve your goals and reach the destination of your dreams.  Just be sure that when you overcome the obstacles that are hindering your journey, you don’t overcome them at the expense of others.