Defining and Finding Success

 In this post I would like to discuss the concept of success and as you well know, success means different things to different people. Dictionary.com defines it as: The attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. Why don't we take a look at this common definition? Many of us automatically connect success with the attainment of material possessions, position, honors, who we know or where we go.

Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things. However some believe that their attainment will make their lives successful, happier, more meaningful and productive. Let me ask you a question. How many of us have heard of people who have more money, houses, cars, titles, etc. than one can ever dream of, and still aren’t happy because they’re not living the lives they had envisioned for themselves? If you wish to know who they are just look in the tabloids, surf the Internet or simply watch the evening news.

Here's a thought for you. Wealth, position and material possessions are simply means to an end. They were created in order to help us attain our purpose for living. They should not be the goal itself. My point is that when we obtain things in a way that’s not connected with our purpose then these things seem hollow and do not bring us the good feeling that we’re looking for? For example Steven Jobs, the founder of Apple Computer, acquired vast sums of cash and material possessions in order to fulfill his vision of bringing people closer together through the use of technology. Money and material possessions weren’t his goal; they were his tools.

Since we’ve seen that success isn’t necessarily connected to material possessions, then what is it? I define success as gaining and attaining the desires of your heart. Each one of us has a function or purpose in life that only we can fulfill. It's our spiritual nature (mentor) that places these desires in our heart and makes certain they’re aligned with our highest and best good or purpose for living.

Are you aware of the many individuals who were successful even though they had very little cash or material possessions? Look at the lives of Five-Star General and U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, Gandhi and Mother Theresa to name a few. The point I’m making is that success is nothing more than a value judgment. It’s true value exists only in the mind of the person making the judgment, including our own.

And finally, while I’m at it, allow me to share that you don’t have to be perfect to be successful. All of us have issues that we have to deal with. The good news is that we have our spiritual, intellectual and physical natures to signal us when we stray from our purpose. We just have to remain in the moment to be made aware of these signals.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. Until next time here’s hoping you live today and everyday passionately and with purpose. Thank you and God bless.