Who's the most successful person you know? My guess is this person is very busy wielding his or her power, buttoning up negotiations and bringing home a hefty pay check. But is that person happy?
As I get older, I'm realizing that happy moments are the real accomplishment. Laughter is central; I'm not sure how I'd survive without the giggly moments with my children or my husband's dry wit.
People will ultimately define my success not as a byline or publishing deal. Long after everyone's forgotten the article or book, my friends and family will support me, cheer for me and hold me as I struggle to keep my footing in this precarious world of ambition. For them, I am thankful; because of them, I have the chance to achieve on a much larger scale.
So perhaps I need to redefine success.
Showing posts with label ambition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ambition. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Summer rains
I live in the high desert. To many that means hot temperatures and little, if any, vegetation. And drought is a constant.
While it is true we don't get a lot of water, July is typically the wet season. Temperatures drop by 15 degrees and the ground is saturated as moisture weeps from the sky. The dry, brittle grasses of June flourish again and the cactus bloom in a profusion of reds, pinks and even yellows. Hollyhock blossoms burst from their stalks and birds, chipmunks, and even snakes flit about. July brings renewed life.
Today, as the gray clouds linger and water trickles slowly down my window panes, I find myself thinking about second chances. Everyone has goals; thy are akin to hope and purpose. Or at least offer a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
So here they are, some of my goals:
1. Spend more quality time with my family
2. Exercise with more frequency - unfortunately, the walk to the mailbox doesn't really count as a workout
3. Write for at least an hour
What will you do for yourself today?
While it is true we don't get a lot of water, July is typically the wet season. Temperatures drop by 15 degrees and the ground is saturated as moisture weeps from the sky. The dry, brittle grasses of June flourish again and the cactus bloom in a profusion of reds, pinks and even yellows. Hollyhock blossoms burst from their stalks and birds, chipmunks, and even snakes flit about. July brings renewed life.
Today, as the gray clouds linger and water trickles slowly down my window panes, I find myself thinking about second chances. Everyone has goals; thy are akin to hope and purpose. Or at least offer a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
So here they are, some of my goals:
1. Spend more quality time with my family
2. Exercise with more frequency - unfortunately, the walk to the mailbox doesn't really count as a workout
3. Write for at least an hour
What will you do for yourself today?
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