Do you ever find you’re getting sucked into seeing yourself as society views you? A lean body is success; excess weight is failure. Money in the bank marks success; low funds denote failure. Being involved with someone romantically is success, while being alone indicates failure. There’s no end to these examples, and even if we usually disagree with them, we may give them a little too much consideration during moments of weakness or insecurity. Once that begins, it’s a slippery slope downward until we struggle to even find hope in our gloom…even though all that’s really changed is our perception.
Since launching Journey of Possibilities, I’ve experienced setbacks, dry spells, times I felt more like I was moving in reverse than going forward, and even times others may have viewed as complete failures. I suppose my recent decision to cancel Illumination Houston 2013 may be seen that way by some. This roller coaster ride prompts me to blog about what I’ve been learning:
- Success and failure are relative, and our social measures for that change every few decades. In truth, I’m highly successful in emotional and spiritual growth, happiness, and clarity. I’m more focused and know myself better than ever. My relationships are richer, and my experiences more fulfilling than I’d dreamed possible. Materialism has never given me the joy I’ve had this past year, although my increasing financial success will now be enjoyed with a new level of gratitude.
- There is no shortage of people ready to criticize, discourage, redirect, and (mis)guide you. Ignore them; these are not successful people. Successful, happy people help others achieve the same. They do not belittle others to feel better about themselves. Insecure people do that.
- Contrary to popular media, many good people exist. I’ve been supported and encouraged by complete strangers with such heart and spirit I feel honored to meet them. Rest assured this world is in many good hands, whether you hear about them on the news or not.
- Every up and down strengthens us and shows us what is and isn’t important. We learn gradually to ‘let go and let God’, and gain much clarity around what we do and don’t have control over. We learn to work better with others and trust. Aren’t these beautiful lessons learned through ‘failure’?
- Meditation and prayer are survival tools. When the judgments of the world begins to eat away at our confidence and strength, finding cracks in our armor and chipping away at us, meditation and prayer center and ground us again while showing us how meaningless people’s opinions and judgments really are. Following our Divine Path never misleads us, yet an earthly perspective suggests otherwise. Beware heeding that and changing course; the prize is likely around the next corner.
- When we’re willing to let go of the big thing we have our eye on and trust God, we are then shown what a really big prize looks like! This does NOT happen until we have heard the call and taken our leap of faith.
Illumination Houston 2013 may be cancelled…for now…but Journey of Possibilities is becoming more successful every day. We are excited about our new projects and can’t wait to share all of this with you. Thanks for joining us on this Journey!
Namaste and much love,
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