Suck-cess

Do you like the new word I invented?  I'm pretty sure Webster needs to add it to the dictionary.  What is the definition you ask?  I'm still working on that.  However, I will be writing today about my definition of what the real word success means.

What is success?  I have learned most people define it by money.  If you have a good savings, a house, a nice car, maybe you're even married and have a couple of rug-rats running around... THEN and only then are you successful.  If I could insert a game show buzzer sound here I would.

I'm in the music biz, and I'm blessed enough to say that I make a living doing it.  I think I once heard that less than 10% (it might really be 1% - I can't remember) of people that go into this business actually make a living, so I consider myself very lucky and very blessed.  (I have also worked my ASS off to get here).  But where is here?  Because "Megan Conner" isn't a household name many would consider me to not be successful.  Again, I would insert a game show buzzer here.

Success in this business doesn't always coincide with making money.  Sometimes landing a publishing deal is as far as many will get, and that in and of itself is considered a success.  Many deals in this town require you to have another job (or 2) to make ends meet.  To some, success is recording a song or having an artist - indie or with a label - record your song.  To some, landing a big co-write is a success, and to a lot - it's being able to say that they pay their bills making music.

To me, THIS quote sums up what I believe the true definition to be... "Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life, it's about what you inspire others to do." -Author Unknown

No, I'm not rolling in the dough.  I haven't quite figured out yet how to save for retirement, but I do have health insurance! I don't own a house, but my car is paid off.  I don't have a pub deal right now, but I have a cut on the next Rascal Flatts album.  If I've learned one thing - it's truly about looking at what you DO have rather than what you DON'T.  I may not change the world, but I know I've changed someone's heart.  I know this because I get emails from people who have heard this song or that song and who have said - "that brought me to tears," or "that song really hits home..." THAT is what matters.  THAT is success. To me, I could die tomorrow and die knowing that I've lived.  And, I've lived because I've dreamed.