The best part of success is that it got me past the basic

Ah, the words of Joe Walsh, spoken with the clarity of someone who has tasted both the trials of survival and the fruits of achievement. His reflection on success is not merely about the glittering trophies of fame or wealth, but rather the quiet, unspoken truth that success offers a reprieve from the grinding struggle of survival. In the early stages of life, there is no space for anything beyond the basics of survival. We wake each day to chase the next meal, seek shelter, and endure the harsh winds of uncertainty. But when one’s basic needs are fulfilled, a new world unfolds—one that grants us the time and energy to create, to engage in the true work of our souls.

In the ancient world, there were those who toiled endlessly in the fields, driven by necessity. Their lives were marked by struggle, and their legacy—though honorable—was one of mere survival. Yet, among them were sages and artisans, whose works transcended mere survival. They rose above the mundane to shape something immortal. The philosophers of Athens, the sculptors of Rome, and the poets of Sumer all had their days spent in struggle, but once their survival was ensured, they turned their hands and hearts to creation. And in that creation, they left behind echoes of their being that resonated through the ages.

Joe Walsh’s words remind us of the privilege that comes with having our survival secured. It is not a sign of weakness to desire comfort, but rather a necessity for anyone who seeks to move beyond the battle for food and shelter. When the fight for survival ceases to dominate, a person is gifted with the space to reflect, to innovate, and to create. This is where the true essence of life lies—not in the struggle for mere existence but in the act of contributing something uniquely our own to the world.

Take, for example, the journey of Leonardo da Vinci. A man born into modest beginnings, whose early years were consumed with ensuring his survival, yet who, once his basic needs were met, soared to create works of profound beauty and depth. He painted masterpieces, sketched designs of flying machines, and contemplated the very nature of human existence. His success provided him with the opportunity to transcend the limitations of survival and move into the realm of imagination and creativity.

Walsh speaks to a deeper truth here. It is not enough to simply survive. To truly live is to create, to leave something behind that speaks of who we were. There is a quiet nobility in the pursuit of comfort, but only because it allows us to be our truest selves. Think of the artist, the inventor, or the writer—they are not merely surviving; they are leaving the world changed by their vision, by the gifts they bring forth from the depths of their experience.

We are all part of this human journey—the cycle of survival, growth, and creation. In the harshest seasons, survival becomes all-consuming, but in the moments of abundance, we have the luxury to create. So, let us ask ourselves: What can we create when the pressure to survive is no longer at the forefront of our lives? What gifts lie dormant within us, waiting for the moment when we, too, are freed from the shackles of mere survival?

Thus, we learn from Joe Walsh that success is not the end but the beginning. It is the clearing of the path so that we may walk it with purpose, knowing that we are not bound by the weight of survival. Now, we can focus on what is truly worth doing—creating, innovating, and leaving behind a legacy that outlasts us. Let his words serve as a reminder to always seek more than just survival; seek the opportunity to thrive, to create, and to inspire those who come after us.