It always shocks me when people say, “You are so successful!” and “Remember me when you’re famous!” Or ask, “What do you do to become so successful?” I usually will bow my head and say, “I don’t know. You think so?” I’m truly humbled by their words. Today, I hit the brakes for a bit to sit down and write to you about success… and luck.
Definition of Success
noun
- the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one’s goals.
- the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
- a performance or achievement that is marked by success, as by the attainment of honors: The play was an instant success.
- a person or thing that has had success, as measured by attainment of goals, wealth, etc.: She was a great success on the talk show.
I am always learning. I never want to quit learning. I am always setting new goals. I don’t have wealth or position. I don’t feel like anything that I have done so far has been marked by success. I haven’t accomplished all my goals or finished all my plans. I don’t ever want to be “done,” so am I successful based on this definition? It wouldn’t seem so.
Here’s the thing… my success is not based on other people’s opinions and perceptions, or what the dictionary says either. I measure success by how I feel – not by what I have or have done. After a complete restart of my life at 50, I live my life my way. I find success in that!
I am happy.
I do the things that I enjoy doing and when I want to.
I am surrounded by amazing people in my life.
I feel safe, loved, and respected.
I find success in all of those things.
What about you? How do you define success? Have I given you another perspective of what success is?
Definition of Luck
noun
- the force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person’s life, as in shaping circumstances, events, or opportunities: With my luck, I’ll probably get pneumonia.
- good fortune; advantage or success, considered as the result of chance: He had no luck finding work.
- a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person: She’s had nothing but bad luck all year.
- some object on which good fortune is supposed to depend: This rabbit’s foot is my luck.
Now let’s talk about luck…. I dislike it when people say, “You are lucky to be where you are!” or “Lucky you!” Listen, luck had nothing to do with it! I worked dang hard to get to where I am. I had to give up a lot along the way. I survived a lot. I have overcome a lot! God has rewarded me greatly for my perseverance and strength. There was no combination of circumstances that gave me a leg up. Quite the opposite, really. No rabbit’s foot or four-leaf clover that helped me. I didn’t have any advantages, that’s for sure. This was all me! I don’t believe in luck. I believe in myself!
Today, I spent the morning with my grandson. We played with some new toys that Nana got just for today while she was on a zoom call. We played in a gravel pile down by the shed. We got to sit on a real tractor. We learned how to use a sit and spin, and Nana got a balance bike to learn on. Firsts are so fun! The BEST part of the day? We ate lunch together. “I cook,” he said. So, guess what? He helped cook mac & cheese. He has his booster seat at the table which he always sits in, but he climbed up on the bench and told me, “Nana, sit.” as he pointed to the bench next to him. So, Nana sat right there! We ate that mac & cheese, and it was the best lunch date a Nana could ask for! To me, THAT is what success is!
I might even say for this… I’m very lucky too!
Keep living your best life!
Michelle