Contribute to new kinds of success

What is it about success that really gets you to feel motivated? How do you see it? What do you think about? We each have different ideas or plans that get us fired up.  It's vital to listen to what these examples of success are telling us about ourselves, our state of mind and feelings.   Then, you realize you have power to contribute to new kinds of success inside yourself and outside.

We see media images of community projects in the developing world, and this redefines a sense of success for people.  Organisations such as UNICEF, Foster Parent's Plan and others invite Westerners to sponsor children and families to help them obtain basic human needs such as clean water, constructive work and access to education. Foreign travel packages exist that enable Westerners to participate in projects such as building schools, shelters and assisting to implement infrastructure so communities can have access to conveniences we often take for granted.

As it happens, my community had schools so I didn't know what it was like to be brought up without one.  My neighbourhood has been on a local water system and so there's no need to locate underground water tanks and put those in. The area where I live has indoor plumbing so I don't focus on the need to put in a sewage system.  If we don't have something, we may not desire it if we don't know about it. Yet, if we know that some aspects of our modern lifestyle could assist others, it makes sense to let them know about it so they can decide if they want it.  

So you tell me I can't?

If you asked any of my teachers back in school how they thought my life would evolve, they may not have been able to give you a decisive answer.  Yet, they would have described traits and qualities they saw in me that showed I was very determined to accomplish what I set out to do.  Over the years, I've been privileged to meet people who have inspired me with their reactions to people who told them they didn't have the abilities to do certain things.  Consider the results.

One girlfriend I've known since 1986 transformed her life in highschool.  She went to visit a guidance counsellor to express an interest in applying to university.  Friends tried to discourage her.  Her family also had qualms. Nobody in her family had ever attended university. At the time, this friend of mine had a "C" average and a few grades higher and lower.  The guidance counsellor glanced at her grades and told her she wasn't smart enough to attend university .  She was advised to lower her goals so she wouldn't be disappointed.  My friend went home, initially discouraged.  Yet, a voice inside told her she was capable of attending university.  She chose to listen to that voice, raise her standards and graduate with a B average that enabled her to win a university scholarship.

During my travels, I met a Scottish man who emigrated with his family to Australia.  He was an auto mechanic for over ten years and then decided he's had enough of that.  People around him questioned what else he could do.  After all, whay would he give up the security of a permanent job? He felt he had the ability to achieve other levels of success.  He decided that he desired true life change.  He didn't assume change would be easy, or that it could happen overnight.  In fact, he sensed that he would have issues to address and work through.  The important thing was he decided he would become his own boss.  He then launched his own business which brought him face-to-face with many obstacles.  All-the-while, this Scotsman didn't dwell on the negative, but went about his tasks with faith and hope.  Before long, he attracted opportunities and people into his life and he was able to better himself.  He invited positive events and they unfolded before his eyes.

Success comes in different packages.  In each of these stories mentioned above, if the individuals hadn't decided to chage their attitude and goals, then nothing about their circumstances would've changed.  If you have a dream, take advice from Sir Winston Churchill who said, "Never Give Up!"  If you don't currently have a dream or project that motivates you, what are you waiting for?  It's never too late to change your life for th better.  All of that begins inside yourself. 

Valentine

When was the last time you told someone how much they meant to you? In the Western World, Valentine's day has become somewhat commercialized, yet the occasion still encourages people to express how they feel. You may know people who feel as though it's risky to express their true feelings because they fear rejection.  At the same time, if you do not take the chance to tell someone how you feel, they may never know and you could lose out on the opportunity for a very fulfilling relationship.

Back in high school, I recall how friends would encourage friends to share love notes because they were too afraid to deliver them in person. Remind yourself that it doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to compel you to do something impulsive or special for someone you love. Consider sharing some of your own romantic efforts and whether they worked as you'd hoped.  What inspired you to do what you did? How did the other person respond?

Pull yourself out of a rut

If you feel stuck in a rut, you may only be observing what is, thinking of what is, and dwelling on what is. Your current circumstances are the product of who you were.  Focus on the future or you will find that you merely reinforce the past and have the sense you're not moving ahead.

Don't define yourself by your current state of affairs. Discover instead, the astonishing power of your imagination.  If you wish to acquire the spirit of persistence, confidence and perseverence, visualize that you have learned these things.  If you had the choice, from whom would you like to learn more about these character traits? Where would you be when learning?  

Reach out to people you admire. Explain why you'd like to learn from their distinguishing traits and qualities.  State this aloud even if the individuals you admire are deceased. Write out traits you associate with particular people and what you'ld say to them if their spirits were right beside you.  Feel their presence. Sincerely desire their positive influence in your life.  When you believe you can get out of a rut, you'll share their energy.

You are what you think

The more I feel good about who I am, where I am and what I'm doing, the more I attract people and conditions that raise me higher and higher and assist me to evolve in positive ways.  Your job is to facilitate your own creative process.  You must ask for what you want.  The universe will react to your thoughts.  Explain the answer you wish to receive.  Accept that the universe will realign to make it happen. What will enable you to generate the feelings of what you wish to make happen? Life is self-correcting.  What you visualize will then materialize.  The universe will take your choices seriously. Each life is the product of our awareness and sense of truth. 

What would you do right now to turn your life around? Make a list of things you wish to change. When you do this exercise, you start to feel grateful for all the things you feel good about.  As soon as you feel differently about the things you already have, you will begin inviting more good things, people and opportunities into your life.

Do yourself a favor and dwell on the end result you envisage.  Become aware of what you want and imagine the consequences of your action.  What will you do? Make each thing you do as real as possible.  Put yourself in a deeply feeling place. Feel utter happiness.  Feel the excitement and exhilaration.  Energy isn't exerted or expanded randomly.  The 'how' to achieve will materialize.  Give your undivided attention to those things you do want. People in life reflect aspects of yourself.

In the Book of Secrets, Deepak Chopra reminds us what we observe, imagine and think is activating images and events. You can stop being ruled by those things you don't want and redefine the evolution of your life.  Attract people, events and lifestyle.  Here are useful tips:

1) Focus on positive feelings and how you will meet your expectations

2) Tell yourself you're no longer offended by things, that each thing enriches you

3) What you think and feel has the power to shift your awareness