The Image of Success

I was thinking the other day, how the world is so inudated with success stories, social media posts from businesses, entrepreneurs, motivational speakers, preachers and the average Joe. All of these people showcasing and highlighting the successes in their lives.

THE IMAGE OF SUCCESS

It lets me know that many people are working and living purposeful lives... or so it seems. As many share stories that warrant the attention and the likes of others, saying, look at me, this is what I am doing. I must be successful as I just spoke to a room of 1000 people the other day and I have over 5000 friends and over 100,000 views.

Today, more than ever, the world is out doing a whole lot of phenomenal things. It amazes me the good that I see paraded by many persons especially on social media. The many pages of experts and authorities on life, health, love, wealth and business is phenomenal. I may venture to say that over the last decade social media has built and exposed a whole lot of people.

Lately, I started to contemplate, and exclaimed to myself, on how we have a lot of successful people in the world.There are a whole lot of "doing" going on and that should be celebrated.

But I also observe that if your calendar is not full, or you on not on the speaking circuit, or have your face draped across a poster constantly does it mean that one is not successful.

I think of a stay at home mom raising two children, whose day is surrounded making sure her kids are safe, cared for and taught. She is the essence of at least several careers  and later on she takes on the role of wife to her husband when he returns home. I see this woman volunteering her time to help with projects, at times giving silent  support. I bet she feels mighty good about all that she does and claims each day it is worth it.

How about that preacher that gives perhaps more than he can give. Everytime members or someone in the community calls, he shows up, gives support and an encouraging word. He visits the sick, opts to pay the groceries of another and gives more to the church than he is getting in return...yes, those type of preachers do exist. They are the one who is holding up the end of the Gospel that says that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

What about the young man who gets his hustle on, he is not robbing stealing or killing, he decided to become a street vendor. It is his desire to make an honest living as he is trying to help his family. He has no college degree or certifications but he understands that hard work pays off and is willing to work and not look for a handout.

I guess what it boils down to is this, that just because one may not have the world's version of success, marketing, promotion, likes and all...it does not mean that they are far less successful by their standards.

I feel people have become so engrossed in self and their accomplishments rather than they forgot that its not money, fame or wealth that makes you successful. I love this quote by Mother Theresa, when she said " God has not called me to be successful...he called me to be faithful."

I am happy that many people are finding success and the joy in living purpose driven lives but I truly hope that it is purposeful rather than just being driven. As at the end of one's life it will matter, as a familiar scripture from the bible says, " What does it profit a man to gain, the whole world and lose his soul?"

And I also remember my grandmother saying this to me so many times as a young girl, she would say, Keisha, only what you do for Christ would last!

I guess as I grow older and wiser, I think I understand why she would drill those words into us as children.

For what really matters in life is not creating your portfolio or defining your image of success, it truly matters where you stand at the end of eternity. Sadly, no one speaks about the end of life and what comes after...what would you leave behind, what would your legacy be...what would be your final destination and outcome of your life?

Some chase careers, some build brands, some create their personal and business personas while some are content with serving the poor, taking care of the home, volunteering at schools...and at the end of the day they all feel accomplished.

The world does need a chill button because those who chose the latter are judged intently because of their willingness to choose a simple, normal life without the constant grind of going, going, going!!!

I am learning everyday to stay focused, to be intentional, focused and simply take it one day at a time Also, I'm very careful not to judge someone's life because it does not add up to my image of success.

Life is what you make it and you should choose to live it any way you want and on your own terms...but may I suggest that you live your life in a way that adds value to you as well as others. In my opinion, anyone who lives this way is the epitome of success.

"Try not to become a man of success,

but rather try to become a man of value."-Albert Einstein

Unveiled To Be Transformed
-Keisha