How do we define success?
In our society success seems to be measured by what we have done, created, or collected rather than what we have given or shared with our fellow sentient beings.
I had always seen success as money, cars, big houses and fame. I lived most of my life in pursuit of all of these material things and it wasn’t until I had many life changing experiences that my opinions on what success was dramatically altered. One of these life changing experiences happened while living on the Big Island of Hawaii and I relate that story in this podcast. So do we need a life altering experience to change the way we see things? Yes I believe sometimes we do. How can we have a life altering experience? Stay open and don’t be afraid to look deeply into your heart. Assess your life daily and see where you can change current beliefs and opinions to bring about more compassion and empathy. Open yourself to new ways of thinking and seeing. Sit quietly on a daily basis. It is in solitude that we can begin to open to a new way of looking at our ourselves and our intention.
How do we re-define success?
- Who gives the most.
- Being happy in each moment regardless of the circumstance.
- Putting others before ourselves.
-
One who follows their heart to serve others without expectation of the outcome.
“see George Baily you really did have a wonderful” A fine journey you both have had.
The small things add up along the way and can be tasted long after…the big things are consumed quickly,rust or break down and that flavor is forgotten and replaced soon by the next “big thing”. When we are gone..it is better to be the small thing..remembered..always..success achieved………………
It has been a wonderful life and I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you my friend for everything.
In the environment I was raised, the accepted tacit notion of success was very simple and straightforward. I grew up believing my only success (and happiness) in life would depend on those standards. Unfortunately (?), destiny didn’t want me to be successful as per those standards. I remember the day it was clear to me that I had “failed”. You feel you have no more purpose in this life and just wait to die in the next hour. I remember spontaneously going to sit for about half an hour on that bench by the river, quietly looking at the water, doing nothing, then I somehow knew everything would be alright…. And I wasn’t wrong.
This is an episode of my life, I will *never* forget. I wasn’t an “active” spiritual person at that time, but when looking back, I am still amazed at my expression of letting go and surrender in that particular moment that looked to me as a difficult and hopeless situation.
Nowadays, I can easily say, my *primary* goal in life is just to be happy with myself and in my relationships with others. Be loving and forgiving… Material things are good for what they are, but to me, they cannot replace the feeling one experiences when loving, sharing, caring, forgiving or being loved, cared for or forgiven…. This is not an easy thing to say in this world, but I know I can express it here.
This was a very insightful podcast as it really got me thinking about things that given me the most spiritual fulfillment in this life. Success once sounded like some sort of pre-determined destination that I was supposed to decide upon with very strict standards in which it is judged. Thinking more on it, I’d like to keep my journey always pointed in a positive direction, regardless of all of the uncontrollable variables, and whatever destination that brings me to, must be a success in some regard.
I have been meaning to send you a note for a while. You have been a very strong and positive influence in my life since I first became aware of your work and I want to extend my most heartfelt gratitude. You have an incredible gift and I appreciate every bit of spirit that you put into your creations.
Kind Regards,
Neil
Hi Robert-
I started listening to your podcasts a few months ago, around the time I started getting interested in Buddhism. Just wanted to let you know I enjoy them a great deal and get a lot out of them. I have gone back to listen to older casts. I find them to be thought-provoking, inspirational and educational. Thanks so much.
Good article. Success can only be measured from within. There are many “successful” people in our society who are depressed and miserable even though society believes they have achieved the pinnacle of achieving. Thanks for the reminder
The Coffee Bean & The Hole In My Shoe. This is truely a poignant, heartfelt story and podcast. Thank you for validating my life purpose of sharing and connection to all beings. At times, many of us have thought success is determined by the outertrappings of things. This really isn’t so. The world is waiting for this book from a very gifted individual – you!