Redefining...

Success

“Success is not a destination, but the road that you're on. Being successful means that you're working hard and walking your walk every day. You can only live your dream by working hard towards it. That's living your dream.”

Marlon Wayans

What's your definition of success? That zeitgeist has changed over the decades of my lifetime. Once upon a time having a roof over you head, food on the table, and a steady job defined success. Being able to send your children to good school, or to train for a trade, was successful. By the time I was grown, having a college degree and a job in your field qualified as success. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems like everything has “super-sized” right along with the Big Mac.

In my neighborhood, where almost all the houses, built in the 1950-60's, are under 3,000 square feet, the most recent house built is four stories from basement to roof, and in the vicinity of 7,000 square feet, or more than double the size. It's for one family—five people at most. Out front, there's an enormous Land Rover, in a state that rarely sees snow, and a BMW SUV. Are ostentatious displays of wealth now the yardstick by which we measure success? Maybe so.

Here is my definition of success: waking up every day excited to see the dawn. Being fortunate enough to surround yourself with people you love, and do the work that gives you joy. Being able to share the rewards of that work with family, and friends, and folks who need a hand up. Having whatever you do in the world come from a genuine place within you, and be a true expression of your soul. There are many, many people in this world who share this idea of what it means to be successful, and I am deeply grateful for every one of them.

                                                             In the Spirit,

                                                                 Jane