2/4/2014 0 Comments On Being SuccessfulSometimes I think just waking up in the morning is a sign of success. Isn't just being alive a sign of successful living?Yes, I know there are other definitions of success. According to Webster's, the definition of success is : the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame; the correct or desired result of an attempt; someone or something that is successful : a person or thing that succeeds. By those definitions, I would say I am right. Just getting out of bed in the morning would mean I am successful. But come now. Success to me would have been a published book and being interviewed by Oprah, probably ending up as her Book Club Choice. That was the dream. Now Oprah has "retired" her talk show. I used to fantasize appearing on her show with my story, a semi-autobiographical story, that was full of human interest, intrigue, drama, love and maybe a little lust. It would climb to the top of the best seller lists and I would be a celebrity...if only in my own mind. But even with Oprah off the main netwoorks, there are plenty of talk shows in her wake. It could still happen. But, no, I haven't retired my dream. I still want to write that book. I still want to appear on a talk shows, etc. But I am finding that is no longer my definition of success. For me now, success is doing what you want with your life. Rising in the morning looking forward to the day because you know you are going to be doing something that you enjoy doing. Whether it be writing, photography, cleaning house or walking the dogs. Success is in doing the tasks that bring you a sense of satisfaction. Success also comes from being true to yourself and being who you were meant to be. And even with that, having successful relationships is truly the surest sign of success. Being successful is more than accumulating money, fame or accomplishments. Success is getting through the day with self respect and feeling like a good person. I believe I do that. And even with that, knowing when to say "no" and not feeling like a heel or being rejected by others, well, I'd say that is a success in itself. Being successful is looking in the mirror and liking the person you see smiling back. Any failures can be endured. Without failure there can be no success. It means you didn't try. So even in failure, you can find success. Its all in how you look at it.
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Sometimes the Word comes when we least expect it. Yesterday it came to me in the form on the message from Pastor Jane Quandt of the church I attend. Based on the spiritual and theological questions raised by the movie Gravity, it is worth a listen because it asks us to looks at the things we attach ourselves to. http://fccriverside.org/archive/2014-02-02/Sermon.mp3 Life, it seems, does not just happen. We choose our attachments. And once tethered to those attachments, we choose to remain attached until we choose otherwise. The above message woke me to the fact that I do indeed need to examine my current attachments. And there are many. Attachments to people, to things, to ideas, values and beliefs. What I have not done in some time is examine those that are life affirming and those that are life denying. Jane used the scripture from Mathew 6:21 which reads: "Where you treasure is, there will your heart be." She pointed out that it is where we choose to attach ourselves is where our hearts follow. And we make that choice. Every moment. Every day. Deep. So I am looking at those now and I have to say I am concerned and a bit afraid. There are beliefs and values I have once again attached myself to that I must now look at untethering myself to. It is scary. Without a tether to these anchors, I might spin off into space...much like the Sandra Bullock character does in Gravity. And then there are the people. Some are my source of joy and nourishment. They uplift and support me. Then there are those others. Letting go and moving on is never easy. For those on either end of the tether. I guess I am suffering from a bit of "existential verigo" as Jane described it. But where do I want to go? That is the question I am asking myself these days. What are the beliefs and values I want to attach myself to? Who is the one I should give my "treasure" to? Where must I make my investments? I'm beginning to think it is true life is a constant state a flux, of change and of evolution. Time to clean up my act....again. Time to choose again. Deep breath. And remembering to be grateful...grateful for the life I have been given along with the ability to be able to choose. I am truly blessed. 2/2/2014 1 Comment On Looking for a SignSome of us spend a lot of time looking for signs. At least I know I do, especially on days like today. Today is Ground Hog's Day. Ponxatoney Phil from the arms of the mayor of that small town in Pennsylvania either sees his shadow or he doesn't. We take that as a sign. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not, there will be an early spring. Some folk put a lot of stock in that. Even in the light of the statistics showing he is right only 39% of the time. Some of us want to believe. I know I do. One thing I wonder about the Phil legend is that it seems counter-intuitive that if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he sees his shadow, doesn't that mean the sun is shining? And if the sun is shining, wouldn't that portend an early spring much more than an overcast sky? And by the way, most people don't stop to think that spring according to the calendar and flow of the seasons, is officially about six weeks away anyway! I know I hate not knowing what lies ahead sometimes. I was signs that things are going to work out just fine. Funny thing, sign or not, things to generally work out. Yes, they don't always work out the way we would hope. But like my grandfather used to say, "Any day I wake up in the morning, well that's a good day." Really, I don't think I really want to know what's coming down the pike. Knowing myself, I would spend an awful amount of time thinking about what's ahead and not living in the present. I would end up missing life as it passes by. There will always be signs. But signs are open to interpretation. We can always put our own spin on signs. And so the signs are better seen in hindsight. There were always indications of the way things were headed. So today Ponxatoney Phil did see his shadow. A nice day ahead in Pennsylvania. Good for the local economy as they have a fair and celebration, etc. Even better it is Super Bowl Sunday. Is there a sign in that? I don't know. Just a coincidence I suppose. And when it gets down to it, that is what much of life is: a series of coincidences and signs of things to come. I for one will take it for what its worth and move on. There's too much going on in the here and now to worry too much about signs of things to come. Yet, it is good to pay heed. Now is the only time we have to affect tommorrow. Hands folded. 2/1/2014 0 Comments On Keeping CommitmentsSo here it is February 1st. I made a commitment to begin blogging again regularly on Februray 1st. First I did it in my mind. Then I said it out loud...where no one would hear me. I thought about it. Ruminated even. Mulled it over. Thought about it long it and hard. I told myself I could do it. It was time. I had waited long enough. The time had come. A few days ago I actually put it in writing. I began to do my morning pages again. I started taking artist dates with myself. It was gonna happen. February 1. Today. It is here. I said I would, and so I have. Well, don't roll your eyes. This counts. I didn't say it would be great shakes. It is what it is. The most important thing is that it is. And there you have it. It begins today. I am back on the path, the journey, the adventure continues. Tomorrow is February 2nd. It is Ground Hog's Day. We will all hold our breath in anticipation of him seeing his shadow. Well, at least we will wonder. But for me it will be another day of accountability. That is a good thing. Yep, being accountable is a good thing. I have to do it for myself, but you can join in if you like. Amen. |
Rob McMurray,
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