May 15, 2002
A NEW/OLD SAYIN’
“Success Sullies.”
That must be an axiom which is as old as the word “sullies” itself. Certainly it is not a new, untried thought, but it occurred to me yesterday evening (5-14-02) as if I have had just created the juxtaposition of the two words.
“Success Sullies!” It sounds old fashioned enough to be from another era and I am reminded of an old radio friend by the name of Lum Edwards who, as half of the team called “Lum and Abner” used to follow his special words of bucolic wisdom with: “that’s an old ‘Eddard’s sayin’ I jus’ made up.”
Think, for a moment, how it seems to apply so readily to what we call “success” today in both work and play. Just when the peak has been reached, things seem to go awry.
You, no doubt, can recall a business firm which seemed to be prospering and “had it made”. Then, suddenly it seemed as if there was marked downward trend and even ruin. The failure was ascribed to “the economy” - a favorite right now - or, to some other current condition which might have caused an unsteadiness, but some old-timers will say “ it grew too fast”... “poor management”, “too much; too soon”, “poor cash flow” or, speaking more directly ...”success when to his head!”
Success can entail both quantitative and qualitative powers. Great outward progress can be obvious but inner flaws remain secret.
Very often one advancement after another sets a deceptive pattern and preparations must be made for a decline at anytime. The strains of positive achievements can prove to be far too demanding at times and work physical damage upon plans and personnel. Suddenly, what we call success has been clouded by cruel realities we have overlooked in our enjoyment of advancement.
You see evidence of this type of self-destruction in the Entertainment fields as well as in Sports and various business efforts such as the recent flurry of .com failures. Success often invites disaster, and if the failure is not that severe, the placid waters of accomplishment are roiled, sullied, if you will, with the appearance of the sediments of reality.
Success, to be lasting, must be based on sound foundations. We should be aware of this maxim in all we undertake to do. People can, and often are, ruined by success.
A.L.M. May 15, 2002 [c401wds] 1
