Imagine you and me, sitting across from one another in a small diner.
I ask you this one question: how would you define success?
How would you answer?
I’ve been chasing the answer to that question most of my adult life. Or, perhaps maybe running from it; depending on which day you asked me. You, too?
I am not materialistic and prefer simplicity – always have. Everything I own has its place, and a congested, chaotic space makes me uneasy. I’ve read that our inner selves are projected toward our outer world. Ever watch Hoarders? You get the idea.
Following Feeling over Money
Success, to me, isn’t about what I have (financially or physically) but rather, how I feel. For you, it may be different. If, where you find happiness is determined by what’s in your bank account then, like the singer NF says, you’ll always be poor. Isn’t that the truth, though?
Don’t get me wrong; I like money just as much as the next person. I just refuse to be defined by it. It doesn’t hold as much importance to me as connection, love, and fulfillment do. In some ways, I’ve sometimes wondered if my very attitude towards money has often lead me to do things, like this blog, for no monetary exchange.
I would love more money in my life (who wouldn’t?) because of what it would enable me to do, however, not because of some status or class that goes along with it.
If you had all the money in the world and could do anything or go anywhere you wanted at any given time, is that success to you? Even if you have no one with whom to share it? Or, if the work you’re doing isn’t fulfilling or serving a higher purpose?
I want to share a message I read – excerpted from writing by Sr. Malannie Svoboda, S.N.D. in Living Faith, which inspired this post.
Make justice your aim. – Isaiah 1:17
Isaiah gives three ways to do this: “redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.” Who is being wronged in society today? Who is marginalized because of race, sex, age, religion, or lack of opportunity and resources?
We are to ask ourselves how we might help address these wrongs? Orphans were voiceless in Isaiah’s time. Who is voiceless in our time? How might I speak for them?
Jesus redefines success as not being achieved by reciting the proper prayers, earning fancy titles, or wearing distinguished attire. Rather, we succeed when we are serving others. It’s as simple and as challenging as that. Whom might I (and you) serve today?
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Since the conception of this blog, I have not made one, red cent. I may include affiliate products/services that have benefited myself (which is why I recommend them), however, to this day, I have not benefited financially. That said, I show up because I feel a greater purpose to do so. This blog is how I choose to serve. Writing the book is how I chose to serve as well. Although the book has yielded financial gain, it is not why I wrote it.
My Definition of Success
Success, for me, is every blog post I get written that I hope benefits someone else. A blog post that may mean the difference in that person’s day; lifting their spirits, giving them hope, or just making them feel something – if even for a moment. And if money follows – great! If not, you still know where to find me.
P.S. Sit across from me virtually, in the comments, and tell me what success means to you. Do you, too, want to be of service to others but aren’t sure how to do that or what that looks like for you? Tell me; I want to hear about it. And who knows, maybe I could be of service to you and assist you in figuring that out. 😀
