Measuring Success

A Tribute to Ken Hurt - a best friend for over 50 years

Ever since first grade, at the beginning of each school year, I always made sure my pencil box had a new ruler inside. It didn’t matter what color, length or material the ruler was; it just made me feel like everything was being kept in order. Even at six years old, I wanted to know that things had direction and that I had a purpose in life. In the chaotic environment that was primary school, as long as I could draw that straight line, in one simple movement I started and ended, I was happy. Years later, that ruler became a part of my mentality for living, reminding me that I control my life’s achievements and how successful they are.
 
What is SUCCESS?

Self love
Unconditional love
Conditional discipline
Contagious positive energy
Exceptional achievement (big or small)
Social recognition
Succeeding necessitates believing, planning, doing, and savoring the entire journey

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Ken Hurt was born and raised in St. Ignatius, Montana, where he lived all his life. After graduating from the University of Montana, he became a pharmacist, taking over his father’s pharmacy. By then, he and his wife Pat already had two children, Joe and Jenny. While he wasn’t working, he relished hunting and golf. He was also devoted Mayor of St. Ignatius for 10 years. I remember when he brought us to the only restaurant in town for breakfast; everyone wanted to see who the guests of this esteemed man were. We felt so honored. The community absolutely adored him.

On November 6, 2008, while on a hunting trip in Kodiak, Alaska, my husband’s dearest friend passed away.

When Pat called the other night to deliver the news, as soon as I heard Gene’s “WHAT?” all the way from the other side of the house, I ran to his office. “What happened?”

“He had a massive heart attack,” I heard Pat’s voice over the phone.

“Ken died.” Gene murmured to me, his hand covering the phone receiver, his face pale.

“Ken was so happy when he visited you and Gene last May,” Pat’s voice quavered as I took the phone. By then, we were both sobbing. I can still hear Ken as he walked out our front door that Spring: “Milly, we love you so much!”

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Ken was proof that success doesn’t only equate to leaps and bounds of fame and wealth. He was the perfect example of an ordinary man who did extraordinary things every day. He filled every single letter in S, U, C, C, E, S, S., to the fullest extent. That’s what success is. It’s doing your best to reach the goals you set for yourself, and inspiring others along the way.

Are you successful like Ken Hurt? It depends if you have a “ruler” and how often you use it to recognize each single step you have taken towards a completed project, family outing, assigned task, lifetime mission . . . If it should take you 100 steps and you are on #10, great job! When you reach step #30 and fully recognize and celebrate the fact, then you will notice improvement in the way you look at your success. By #50, you will already be savoring the valuable experiences you have gathered along the way. At #95, you should start preparing to celebrate the end of the tunnel . . . then 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100!

Each step you take is a success, regardless of whether you measure it in inches or smiles. If you don’t make those acknowledgements, however tiny, you might just grow into a lifestyle that never seems rewarding.

Thank you, Ken, for showing me how to appreciate and savor myself and my achievements. I love you too!