Evening star., 1925-07-17
SUCCESS
By Dauid BeEaSco,
Famous Producer.

(Note-Mr. Belasco toiled long, weary
years before obtaining public recogni-
ton. But with a high idealism he
does not call that success" Success
is to him far deeper and more sig
nificant thing. This interesting article
points, in a material and selfish age,
moral of paramount importance)
There Is much discussion of the term
Success" in these mad, hurrying days
of ours; likewise, criticism of those
who merely plod along their humdrum
way buying home, raising family
doing little or nothing to create rip
pie in this pond we call life"
For moment let US stop to con.
slider what success really Is. Is 1t
the act of amassing great riches? /
do not believe 80. Is it some out
standing act for the public good which
makes one man or group of men
more noted than the other millions?
Possibly; but If so, such success still
does not provide a sane measure of
achievement.
Measure of Real Success.
What constitutes real success is do
ing some one thing, no matter how
lowly, just a little better than any
one else can do it. Mr.. Edison could
not have achieved his wondrous fame
If there were not successful toilers
fabricating the materials he used in
his inventions. Ruth st. Denis would
lose much of her scintillating triumph
were it not for her musicians and the
rhythmic, superb accompaniment they
provide. Then the orchestra would
be a failure II each of the musicians
was not successful in his chosen line.
All human progress is dependent on
the works of others. All of US are
borne to serve the God-scheme in some
capacity. Some of US are laborers be-
cause the world needs toilers with
their hands. Others are artisans be-
cause the world need is for the prod
uct Of shop and bench.
L believe there is a divine balance
in all things Of life and that the SUI
preme Intelligence casts us in the role
where the need is greatest At the
same time, 1 believe we are given am.
bition and ability with which to raise
ourselves TO the higher plane If we so
desire.
Doing a Job Well.
There it would seem lies the great
secret of success-to do our appointed
task gratefully and willingly. seeking
always to make it more perfect than
the work or the man at the next
bench, the next desk or the next Office
For there lies the one obligation we
cannot escape; we must perform our
personal task to the best of our abil-
1ty, whether we be street sweeper or
capitalist. The measure of perfection
OF our service is. TO my mind, the sole
measure of success.
The captain on the bridge of the
transatlantic liner, who carries his
thousands of passengers through the
dangerous sea lanes in safety year
after year, Is as needful to human.
lty--as successful-as the banker who
protects our savings, sees they are
invested wisely and pays us our divi.
dends every quarter.
Achievement the Test.
So it would seem that success can.
not bo counted in dollars, nor can It
be confined to any walk of life The
most expert ditch digger has a greater
measure of success to his credit than
has the mediocre financier. True. his
lines are cast in a different social
plane. but he has achieved, while the
other merely has dallied.
Let us then be content with the
task that is given to our hands and
let US measure our success by the
manner in which we perform our serv.
ice to humanity. For. when all is
said and done. that is how we are
judged when the entries are made in
the Great Daybook of Life.
Copyright. 1e25)