How many of us believe we are destined for success? I used to, then went through a phase that had me doubting anything other than a status quo existence. And the status quo was status low! It caused me to re-examine my life, my priorities, how I did business, how I did relationships, and how I did my faith.
Today I have no doubt that I am destined for success and it's because I have redefined success. I no longer attach success to a robust bank balance, thriving investments, season tickets, expensive toys, or enough botox to keep me wrinkle free until I'm 90. All of those things are nice symptoms of someone's success, and I welcome them as they come...or not.
Success is wrapped up in living out one's destiny. Mother Theresa was an unabashed success, and we would have to conclude that Bill Gates is as well. Delmar Walker, my late Dad, was a success, but he never made much more than 50k in a year. As in the case with Mother Theresa, success is not tied to money. It is tied to passion and destiny.
As of this writing, I don't yet own the boat I want. I don't own the car I'd like or live in the exact house of which I dream. My expensive toys are rather dated and old - not so pricey any longer. No season tickets. The bank account is far from robust, and the wrinkles will just have to add character. But I am in the lane I was born to occupy.
There is a deep satisfaction in that. The cool part is that I am being rebuilt after a fashion that maintains my integrity, my focus, my love of life and people, and will provide the comforts I will never again take for granted. My path to this point is not one I would have chosen for myself, but I rejoice in the strength I've gained, the lessons learned, the new relationships which have been forged, and the clarity with which I see what success really is.
Success is a function of doing that which you are designed to do, and then doing it with all the gusto you can muster. I speak from intimate experience, and now am able to not only tell others how they, too, can achieve success that is sustainable for a lifetime, but I can teach them. It's a cool train.
Fearlessly,
JD
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