Are you successful?
Around the world these days, people center on this question. And certainly our Western culture has brought a focus on success to new heights.
Whether you define it as financial success, relationship success, success at power and influence, the success of fame, life style success, or whatever other type of success you might think of, we seem always to be going after something.
And it is not just in mainstream culture that we find people looking for success.
Even in alternative circles–among so called new thought or “conscious” people–you find human beings looking for ways to improve themselves or the world we live in. There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve things, but in its own way it can become a striving for success.
But can you ever get everything that you want? Can you ever get as much money as you want, the perfect relationship, your work to be 100% fulfilling, stress-free, and productive, the environment you live in to be just the way you want it, your health and fitness to be absolutely tip top, the amount or way you serve others to be unconditionally fulfilling?
If you cannot attain all this–or even any of it–are you still successful?
I say, “Yes.” You are successful, even when you have not attained all (or any!) of your goals and dreams.
You are successful, just because you are, and out of who you are, do just what you do.
As a living, breathing, human being–able to experience and enjoy the world, to make choices and create, to love and laugh and connect with others–you are successful in being and engaging with life.
Your place in the cosmos is secure because you are here, now, right where you are–and that is enough.
This is not to say do nothing. Of course, out of who you are, you have goals and create things.
But it is to say, recognize who you are, what you do, and what you have done in your past. Know that these things make you successful by definition. You are successful at being who you are and doing what you are doing.
There really is nothing more required–except what we make up in our own heads and require of ourselves.
When looked at like this, the answer to the question, “Are you successful?” is always and unequivocally, “Yes!”
Failure is impossible.
I am successful, because I am, whatever I do.
It is important to recognize that what we have done and created has been our best effort and in this sense is inherently successful.
It may not have met our expectations. It may not have met the expectations of others. But it has been successful at creating exactly what it created. And that is good enough. The relevant question is what can we learn from what we have done, whether it reaches our expectations or not.
You might note that this approach involves some self-acceptance and self-forgiveness. Through accepting and forgiving myself, I can come to say I am successful, just because I am, whatever I have done.
As you read or hear this, please experiment with it a bit. Let go of all of the wants, desires, demands, “shoulds,” “shouldn’ts,” strivings, and changes you wish would happen, and for just a moment, experience what it is like to think and believe:
I am successful, just because I am.
When you have this thought for a moment, how does it feel?
I get calmness. You might also get exhilaration.
Either way, the feeling is confirmation of the statement’s truth.
I am successful, just because I am, whatever I do.
This is Glenn Stevenson with Self Sense Coaching and Counseling. Until next month, I wish you the knowledge and feeling of knowing that:
You are successful, just because you are.
