[tweetmeme]Sometimes it’s easier to accomplish something when you have a better understanding of what you’re striving towards. Take success, for example. Most everyone is working towards achieving some level of success but do they really know what defines the object they are so ambitiously pursuing?

Let’s break down the word success and look into its etymology. Just as finding a treasure without a map is next to impossible, so is achieving success without knowing its secret. As we discover the true origin of this word we’ll be much more equipped for achieving it.

The word “success” is actual the combination of two words, both with different geographic origins. It wasn’t combined in its modern form until the last few hundred years.

We’ll start with the first part of the word, Suukko. This is a Finnish word that means, simply, kiss. It’s used in the same manner we use kiss in English, defined as a touch with the lips as a sign of love or affection.

Before I get into the second half of the word, let me recount a parable that will help explain it better:

Once upon a time there was an old farmer who was penniless and starving. He had only a thatch hut to sleep under and a magic talking donkey to keep him company. One evening the farmer was taking his donkey for a walk and they were talking about what they could possibly do to become rich. The donkey stopped the farmer and said, “Farmer, you must abandon your pride and seek the king’s council. Surely he will find a talking donkey entertaining and pay you handsomely to have me tell him stories and sing him songs.“

The farmer quickly retorted, “No! I will not allow you to be humiliated for the sake of fortune and fame. Not to mention, the king would no doubt take you from me once he learned of your ability.”

“Then let us pretend we are married,” the donkey offered. “The king is a man of high moral standard and will surely not split us up for his own gain.”

The farmer and the donkey finally agreed and set out for the castle the next morning. Upon arriving in the court of the king and seeing his commanding presence the farmer was fearful that the plan would not work and that his dear donkey would be taken from him.

The king boomed loudly, “What sort of entertainment do you bring me, Farmer? How do you suppose a donkey should please the king?”

“Your Majesty,” the farmer replied, “this is no mere donkey. This donkey has the ability talk and can spin the most imaginative tales of valor and chivalry.”

“Show me then,” said the king.

At once the donkey stepped forward and began to tell the king the most incredible story of love and courage. The kings was moved to tears with the tale and after a moment made his decision.

“This donkey,” said the king, “is the most incredible creature I have ever set my eyes on. She will become a member of the king’s court and spend her life doing the kings will. Farmer, I will make you wealthy in exchange for this magnificent animal.”

The farmer was taken aback but managed to respond carefully and calmly. “Your majesty, I do thank you for your kindness, but there is one stipulation you should be aware of that will make your decree impossible for me to obey. The donkey has become a dear friend and companion. I understand this is a very strange circumstance but the donkey and I are kindred souls and I would be lost without her for we are husband and wife.”

The king became visibly outraged at the farmers confession. “What?! How could this be true?”

“It is as it is,” replied the farmer.

The king sat quietly in thought for a moment before speaking. Finally, his decision made, he spoke, “I cannot tear your marriage apart for it is sacred, but I do wish the donkey to entertain me. I will pay her a weekly earning to come and tell me tales and you shall both live within the walls of the castle. You shall want no more for food, clothing, or warmth.”

The farmer and the donkey were overjoyed! Their plan had worked. They would be wealthy and live amongst royalty. The king was not yet finished with his proclamation, however.

He continued, “But first, a test; I must know if this marriage is not just a trick. You must both, with love and sincerity, kiss each other full on the mouth… with tongue, as the French are accustomed to.”

Oh noes!! What will the farmer and the donkey do??

I’ll stop here and finish the story after we talk about the second half of the word: Ass. You may well know that ass is another word for donkey. Ass has a very sketchy etymology and it appears that the first use of the word occurred in the 1500’s. It has always been defined, even then, as another term for a donkey though. Ass = Donkey. Donkey = Ass. Got it? Good.

To finish the story:

The donkey and the farmer were horrified. They had not planned on this. The farmer, although a dear friend of the donkey, was a repulsive old man. The donkey could not bear the thought of pressing her lips to his. The same went of the farmer. The smell of hay on her breath, how dreadful!

The donkey was the first to speak, “Your majesty, we must confess. We are not married but we cannot bear to be apart so we lied to you in order to stay together. I cannot kiss the farmer and he cannot kiss me. We are merely friends and that is all it is to be.”

The king was so furious that he had been deceived that he ordered the farmer to spend the remainder of his pathetic life in the dungeons while the donkey lived her life in servitude to the king. They were never to see or speak to each other ever again and they both died of broken hearts and loneliness.

The moral of the story should be obvious. In order to achieve our goals sometimes we must kiss ass.

Okay, okay! I made all that up; the etymology and the parable. I’m such a horrible person. LOL!

Success is simple. Work hard and play harder. Find something you truly enjoy doing and be your best at it. You reap what you sow and that’s a fact.

One day I’ll find success in what I love to do. Maybe one day that book will become a reality. That would be how I would define success. How do you define success?