April 25, 2012
Like most of us in North America, I was raised in a society where many people rate success in life to having a reputable career, how much you get paid, what kind of car you drive, what neighbourhood you live in. Yes, these are all signs of success in the financial department but that is not all that life is about. What about your personal life, emotional health, balance. Often we see someone who drives a nice car, goes on vacation to far away places, has a gorgeous spouse and has a great career – or maybe doesn’t have to work. Your first impression may be to assume they have it all. Wouldn’t you like to live their life? How easy would things be for you if you could live in their shoes. What you don’t see is the truth behind closed doors. Sometimes it is physical abuse, neglect, unhappiness, depression. Do you really know what that person’s life is like from your single piece of evidence?
Being successful in life means an overall balance in life. It means being happy with who you are. It means enjoying the things in life that make you happy without having the guilt that goes with it. Are you successful in making the world a positive place? Do you send joy and love to the ones around you? Have you raised your children to love themselves, have confidence and find a healthy balance? Do you spend quality time with your family and really talk – not just surfing the edges – I mean really talk? Do you know what their passions are? What is important to them? Are you demanding and negative throughout your day? Do you expect more from people than you provide others?
There is a shift and re-evaluation of life when the truth becomes clear. Life is about quality over quantity. Really, do we need 4 TVs in a household of 4 so we don’t have to sit together and watch the same program? What might happen if we were together? Do we need 40 pairs of shoes in our closet? Do our kids need to have activities planned for every night of the week? What would happen if we slowed down and spent a little more quality time together. What might happen to our kids anxiety levels, stress levels…what about our own? Teaching our kids balance in life might be the most important thing you ever teach them. This will help them make healthy choices and be in the right space to do so. Maybe we need to learn balance from our kids. Maybe we have forgotten how at some point in our life.
Try going out to the country for some fresh air and breathe in deeply…again…again…again. Leave the big city with all it’s smog, noise and confusion. Listen. Still your mind. Be quiet. It may feel strange at first, but keep doing it and you will heal from within. You will find your true self and your passions. You will feel successful in life.
Good luck!