When success ain't it all, the tricky side of success.

As we manage to enter into the utopian fantasy of our tangible dreams, success often disguises as a giving companion that comes along. Nevertheless, the further you go, the less transited the road becomes and the faster frustration comes by as you see incredibly talented people neglecting to keep on with what it takes to conquer the ladder to success.

My initiation into social triumph was in kindergarten's graduation ceremony. Growing up in the 90's it was all about recognition culture and loving parents educating their kids not to have big traumas due to authoritarian parenting. We were rewarded for everything.

As the ceremony developed, 28 out of 30 little charming tiny souls have been rewarded for some special skill. And there I was, absorbing the moment with my big bright eyes applauding everyone in the saturated podium from the non-winning kid's bench. I recall myself cheering as loudly as I could; not only did the happy winners were my friends I also felt immensely mature and grown up.

Why did adults keep saying: "Oh, you shouldn't be feeling bad, it's just a diploma" or "don't worry princess, maybe next year"? Was I supposed to be having a bad day? If so, why did everyone complained so much about failing? I was feeling amazing.

One day, a question arose how would it feel to be the prizewinner? As I saw my Barbie's perfection I definitely knew success must be pink-colored.

In order to give life a rose filter I started exchanging years, endless study nights, friendships, lovers, tears and laughs for the honey of victory. Yet, what I imagined as sparkle and shooting stars did not always shine the way I expected. The more I approached an extraordinary goal, the higher the expectations of performing at ever-increasing levels of proficiency. This journey is indeed a two sided sword.

Instead of enjoying the fruits of my efforts, I became susceptible to distress that I didn't had on those pre-scholar times. That loving giving companion I imagined success to be, turned out to be a jealous partner. Exposure made me prone to engage on an apologetic vow of outdoing the other to keep focused. But the truth is, we lose ourselves by forgetting why we started. We forget we become shapers out of the necessity to transform not by applause.

No one can imagine how much you have to give up in order to achieve what many haven't. It is true we must sacrifice a lot but this doesn't mean we have to do it alone. In order to transcend we must share ourselves and luckily life will gift us with someone who truly understands our heavenly call. Success is a bless and a burden but depending on who we share it with, the scale will balance to the right side and we won't be needing the artificial shades to turn it pink.