How do you measure success? What would you tell a recent highway grad???

Are you successful? Would other people consider you a success? Are you happy? How do you measure that success? That happiness? All too often we are comparing ourselves, comparing our children to others that we aspire to emanate. We see parents spending their entire retirement savings driving their children all over the country to different leagues and clinics just at the rare chance of them being the next David Beckham or Alex Rodriguez. Let me save you a lot of the mystery... The guy with the bad skin who dips the fries into the oil at Wendy's has a better chance at banging a supermodel than you average child has at making the big leagues. I am not trying to be a d**k, it is just pure statistics. And, with that said, there is nothing wrong with being average.
As a society, we have gone so off track when it comes to what we consider a successful person that it is downright sad. Each year people make a big deal out of Forbes' list of the wealthiest people. If I cared any less about that list you would have to check me for a pulse. And what does such a showing of excessiveness show our youth. Make more money than everyone else and you will be admired? Pablo Escobar was a multi-billionaire, a Columbian drug lord, but a billionaire nonetheless. Should he have been recognized for his determination and ingenuity? How come there is never an article in a major publication recognizing those who volunteered the most? Why is it that we never get to see the news showcase the best soup kitchen worker? the best foster parents? Class mother? The news has spent a great deal of time and energy discussing how wrong it is for a pregnant Snooki to be wearing stilettos but they couldn't care less about some community group going around handing out sandwiches and water to the needy.
I would like you to picture a single mother, holding down waitress gigs at two separate diners, keeping a roof over her head and putting a healthy meal on the table all while ensuring her teenage daughter has the newer threads. Now, ask that young girl who she thinks is a success... she'll probably name some celeb reality freak who would have crumbled under the pressure the her mother has been enduring for years.
Let us think about some of the people that are showcased as being successful. Sports : Alex Rodriguez - Steroid Abuse and extra marital affairs with paid escorts. Kobe Bryant- Affairs. Michael Vick - Animal Cruelty, gambling.. Entertainment: Kim K- Haha... Twice divorced, sex tape, etc..., Bill Cosby - Racist, affairs, etc... I could play this game all day.
We need to get back to the basics. We need to let our youth realize that success can come in many different forms. Being a good friend to others, being a good parent, teaching your students that honesty and integrity are the measures of a man. We should preach that the ends do not always justify the means. It is in my opinion that the successful man goes to sleep at night with peace of mind and a clear conscience. He owes nothing and writes off the debts that were owed to him. He is able to go to his grave with no regrets only the knowledge that he did his best and made the world a better place for others.
Of course, I am not a success and just maybe way off base... Maybe I should go apply for that fries opening at Wendy's???
Is it hot in here or am I Crazy?