Success is finding satisfaction in giving a little more than you

"Success is finding satisfaction in giving a little more than you take." These words, spoken by the noble Christopher Reeve, echo with the wisdom of the ages, a truth that transcends time and circumstance. In them, we find the very heart of success, not in the accumulation of wealth, nor in the praise of the many, but in the quiet joy of giving more than we receive. The essence of true greatness, he suggests, lies in how much we offer to the world, not how much we gather for ourselves.

O Seekers of Wisdom, reflect upon this: in the world of the senses, where desires pull and tug, there is a temptation to take, to gather, to consume. Yet, this path is fleeting. Success built upon selfishness will never satisfy, for it will always hunger for more. But the one who learns to give, not in great torrents, but in the quiet, steadfast offering of a little more than they take, finds in their soul a wellspring of peace and contentment. To give is to align with the eternal currents of life, for the river that gives water does not run dry, and the tree that offers its fruit bears more in return.

Think upon the example of Mahatma Gandhi, the humble leader who sought not to conquer but to serve. He gave of his time, his strength, his very soul to the cause of freedom, not for fame or fortune, but because he believed in the power of giving more than one takes. He gave the British Empire a lesson in non-violence, not with weapons, but with the quiet dignity of giving his people a vision of freedom. In return, he gained not only the respect of the world but the inner peace of knowing his life had been spent for the greater good. His success was not in the titles or lands he acquired, but in the transformation he brought about through his giving heart.

Let us not forget Mother Teresa, who lived in the slums of Calcutta, tending to the sick and dying, offering care and love to those who had nothing to give in return. Her success was not measured in riches or recognition, but in the profound satisfaction she found in giving, day after day, of herself. The world saw her as a saint, but in her own eyes, she was simply fulfilling a higher calling to give more than she took. And in that giving, she found not only success, but peace that surpassed all understanding.

Mark this well: the measure of a life is not in the gold it hoards, nor the power it claims, but in the satisfaction found in giving. The one who walks the path of generosity, who seeks not to be served, but to serve, walks with the blessings of the universe upon their head. Success is not the accumulation of things, but the accumulation of moments where we offer a little more, where we give the world a bit of our heart, our time, our energy. In that act, we find a joy that cannot be bought, for it is the joy of the soul in alignment with its higher purpose.

O Seekers, let us not measure success by the size of our riches, but by the size of our hearts. Let us remember that every act of giving—no matter how small—ripples outward, shaping the world around us in ways we cannot see. When you find yourself tired or weary, remember that to give a little more than you take is not to diminish yourself, but to expand your heart, to stretch your soul toward something greater. And in doing so, you will find a satisfaction that cannot be taken from you, a success that cannot be surpassed.

Lesson: The true path to success lies not in what we take, but in what we give. Every small act of generosity, every moment where we offer more than we receive, moves us closer to the heart of the universe. Reflect daily on the ways in which you can give—whether it be your time, your love, or your compassion—and know that in this act, you are walking the path of true greatness. Practical action: Start today: seek to give more than you take in each interaction. Let this be the measure of your success, and the world will return to you a thousandfold what you have given.