How do you define success in life?
I’m successful by my own definition, anyway. My friend, Diana West, once wrote a book about breastfeeding after breast surgery and called it Defining Your Own Success. I’ve always thought that idea applied to many other aspects of life. Success is not some finite status you attain when you earn X amount of money or achieve Y status in your career, at least unless that’s your definition, which is fine, I guess.
In all, I’m quite satisfied with my life so far. Here are some of the ways I think I’m successful.
- I have lifelong friends and a small community of people I trust and care about.
- I’ve successfully kept in the good graces of a few family members who I trust and treasure.
- I’ve done interesting paid and volunteer work that has helped other people learn and grow.
- There are many fascinating places that I’ve gotten to see and explore, some in my own backyard.
- I haven’t stopped learning.
- I rode a horse at a canter.
- I think I’ve found “inner peace,” most of the time. It’s still a process, but I define success here as keeping on the path
That’s not all, but it’s enough.
Inner peace reminded me of some thoughts I’ve been having this week after conversations with some wise people. Since Wednesday, when the surprising results of the US midterm elections became clear, I’ve had a little difficulty accepting that something positive actually happened. But I think it’s sunk in, because I truly feel a huge weight is removed from my shoulders; the constant dread is gone.
I suddenly can concentrate again and I’m remembering words better. All day today I had a ridiculous amount of energy, too! I got more work done than I sometimes do in three days. And I had ideas, thoughts, contributions…made me feel quite successful! My brain works better (though the struggle with nouns in speech concerns me).
Talking with my boss today, I realized another important cause of my long period of feeling awful has been lifted. For the past ten years or so, I’ve been incredibly disappointed by people (here and elsewhere). My boss reminded me that our faith in humanity has returned. People DO care about each other and do reject mean-spiritedness and self-centered leadership.
Sure, there are plenty of people who are in this life only for themselves and who would rather call each other names than talk to others, but I feel less alone. I’ve successfully lived long enough to feel encouraged about the future, even though the next few years will be hard.
Hard times are still here. I have three friends who are hospitalized right now, so thoughts would be appreciated. And Harvey’s results came back indicating thyroid issues. That poor dog!
(Thanks to all who blew up my blog stats looking at house pictures—now I know how to get hits, buy a house.)
