I have had an immense shift this year that I’m still learning to put into words. For starters my ideas around success are changing while I’m experiencing a major life transition. We live in a society which views life as “moving up the ladder.” Because I believe life is infinite and expansive, I am curious to what degree that move is causing discomfort since up is only one direction.
I can’t help but wonder how manifesting our dreams and passions coexist with society’s idea of gaining unimaginable success?
I believe that our true heart’s passion is what drives the dream. Then our analytical mind creates unneeded stress on how the dream will unfold and appear, if it will be good enough, if we our working hard enough, who it will please, and how we will be recognized for it. As a Virgo, my analytical mind could definitely use a permanent vacation!
I’m learning to trust the process and have more faith. Having faith even if its only a tiny bit has been a consistent theme for me this year. Life is ever changing and transition is not always fun. I’m acknowledging new dreams and ideas as they emerge. I’m also noticing my ego share its unabashed opinion on how these new dreams and ideas will be of value, how much income they will create, and if they really will make a difference.
I am in awe that I have learned to value myself based on how much success I can achieve. Who defines this success anyway?
I attended a beautiful memorial service for a member of my spiritual community this past weekend. I could see and feel how much this man’s presence here on earth changed so many lives. Although his work life was mentioned, those were not the qualities that were most heart and soul felt. It was the affectionate stories of those precious moments in life that were shared that had nothing to do with career. It was the unconditional love, support, and generosity that this man had presented time and time again that had deeply touched so many. It was his positive unlimited outlook on life that had made such an impact.
Life is so much more than decluttering possessions or accumulating them. Living simply has allowed me to no longer view my career solely as a means to money and approval, or to buy things. Yet minimalism has also gifted me a freedom to see life in a new light, and to recognize that how I move through it is priceless. It has also given me some room for slowly shifting my career and defining what I feel my life could look like. I feel as if I have started to also free myself from the confines of “becoming more successful” and instead just be and shine.
If I’m no longer looking to others to tell me what success looks like, or which ladder to climb, I am able to know that as long as I’m following my true hearts desire I am already successful.
If someone had told me that success was in my heart and mine all along, I would have made more time to watch more salmon pink sunsets. This weekend’s memorial service was a powerful reminder to me not to miss any more moments in life to simply “climb the ladder.” Enjoying life’s moments completely while being fully present is what is truly important. Everything else will fall into place as long as I’m being true to myself, remaining faith filled, and putting in the work as needed.
My personal definition of life is more valuable that anyone’s definition of success including my own!
(Image by D Sharon Pruitt)
sandy says
We are success.
Thanks for this beautiful message.
Dawn Michelle says
I always appreciate your feedback Sandy! And yes we are success!
Julie Longyear says
This is a concept I have had to wrestle with ever since starting a business. I never really had a problem with feeling successful in art school. I made work that pleased me and both the process and the products were enjoyable. However when I graduated and had to figure out a career path and a means to supporting myself financially “success” gained a whole new importance and a real measure. Essentially if I couldn’t support myself I wasn’t a success. The idea of profitability is pretty basic to entrepreneurship success. If you aren’t in the black you are failing to the world (and somewhat for yourself too, as an operation can only survive that way for so long before collapsing, meaning loss of a dream). Along the way the things I learned and the growth I achieved as a person were more valuable than I could have imagined, though. I was successful at personal growth if not a profit growth. At this point I ask if I can pay my bills, if my work is helping others, and if it is helping me. This is my very basic set of criteria for success.
I think it is wonderful to think about this and it is awesome to see this thought shared. I wish you fulfillment and a passionate, inspiring journey.
Love!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Julie,
Owning your own business can truly emphasize this concept. Also as an artist this can be challenging since there is a strong paradigm of artists having difficulty making money doing what they love. I’ve been on both sides of the pendulum financially and ultimately when I was full of faith everything always worked itself out. I think there is a balance with working hard to be successful and knowing the universe will support you. I am still discovering that balance myself. I wish you the very best with everything that you are doing and I truly appreciate your comment!