Image courtesy of Lucie Stastkova

While writing the introduction to a fellow author’s book, I realized many of us view success as an end-product. We aspire, we strive and, if fortunate, we manifest. Only then do we feel gratified, overlooking all we accomplished in the process. In short, we fail ourselves.

If we become discouraged when met by an obstacle, we are not seeing that obstacle for what it truly is: a teacher. Obstacles not only teach us what does not work, but also challenge us to reach beyond our perceived limitations. Obstacles are opportunities to practice what we’ve learned, alter our approach, and move forward. This is success.

Being stuck in obsessive thought patterns, limiting beliefs, or anything that stops us short of reaching a goal can lead to wallowing in the past (nostalgia) and yearning for the future (desire). Turning inward and finding the embedded thoughts sabotaging our efforts keeps us in the present and increases our chances of manifesting our dreams. This is success.

When we look within, we succeed in our willingness to explore our dark side and discover who we truly are. Throwing caution to the wind and delving into the depths of our psyches allows negative beliefs to surface and be recognized. We then can alter our approach by trying something new. This is success.

An experiential (versus therapeutic) approach to learning offers the highest chance of success, because learning is achieved through experience. Experience involves braving the unknown. The unknown holds all potential for advancement. If we do not commit to success by staying in the present, we could very well achieve bitterness and defeat.

Acknowledging each effective step we take toward realizing our dream is a marked success. In so doing, we achieve much more than the goal itself; we claim each and every one of our efforts as worthy of recognition.

Life is a process of learning. Potential lies within that process. All we experience teaches us something about who we are. We apply what we have learned to each new encounter, discovering what works and what does not work. We learn as we go. The more we risk diving deep within, the more we grow as we surface.

To be successful, we need to focus our intention while absorbed in the work of the present. We need to recognize opportunities when they present themselves and not yield to perceived obstacles. We need to take responsibility for our thoughts and actions, rather than defer to heredity, environment, or the behavior of others. We need to be willing to step into the unknown.

When met by an obstacle that catapults us into a limiting belief, moving into gratitude can pull us out. Gratitude evokes love and eclipses fear.

Success is not merely an end result. Success occurs across a spectrum. Success is the ever evolving, ever expanding universe. And as above, so below.

Until the next time, my friends… Namaste ❤