What the world chases after

The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche did not measure success by the conventional standards of the world. 

Financial wealth or societal validation were not part of his reflection. Instead, he defined it as the overcoming of one's inner chaos which could be achieved through embracing adversity. This was a catalyst for personal growth which would accompany the creation of a unique sense of purpose as well as an incorruptible value system. 

The world often looks at success through a faulty prism and many of the characters we laud with having achieved it, are deeply flawed and perturbed individuals with narcissistic qualities. Their personal lives are also often in complete disarray.

In contrast, those people who reflect deeply and weigh the morality and consequences of their life decisions are less likely to succeed by the metrics of a world that values knee-jerk action. However they often tend to personify the best qualities of humanity which include empathy and charity. 

We want to seek internal balance and in so doing must necessarily abandon much of what the world values and chases after.