Standard of Practice

How do you gauge how successful you are in what you’re endeavouring?

If it is by how much praises you get, how much you gain materially, that is going by the standard of the world.

By the standard of the Dhamma though, the above are immaterial.

If, however, in doing something, you know that:
You are developing good-will (Metta), compassion (Karuna), appreciation (Mudita) and equanimity (Upekkha),
Or you have less of hatred (Dosa), greed (Lobha) and delusion (Moha),
Then you’re truly successful, as the positive qualities you’re developing and the negative qualities you’re abandoning helps shape you into a beautiful person with a beautiful heart. It’s a sure-fire way to ensure happiness in the world.

And when you are truly happy and at peace with yourself, it doesn’t matter what others say or think about you. You know for yourself who you really are.