We live in a doing society. Success is often defined as a matter of getting noticed and paid for whatever we’ve accomplished; or getting recognition for challenges we’ve overcome. Or is it?  Are lottery winners successful or just lucky? When people are born into wealth and then create more wealth for themselves, does that make them successful? When people are born in poor conditions, but become wealthy are they successful? Why? Is success measured entirely by the accumulation of money or  wealth? Not necessarily so. There are so many questions, but few consistent answers.

The Carolina Panthers recently lost the Super Bowl, and even though the quarterback led the team to 18 wins and only 1 loss during the season, one loss rendered the team unsuccessful. Yet, the quarterback’s obvious interest in inspiring children with disabilities and other illnesses garners a slight mention in the news or on Facebook. Is there another way to measure success?

Lillian Weber, a 100 year-old woman from Iowa makes a dress everyday on her sewing machine for African children who do not have sufficient clothing. Is she successful? The late Osceola McCarty saved money from washing clothes, and then gave more than $150,000 in savings to  the University of Southern Mississippi to help African American college students? After a one-term presidency, Jimmy Carter  has led efforts to eradicate guinea worm from central African countries with a simple, inexpensive medicine and prevention education.

A coalition of ministries in Charlotte, NC set as a goal to eliminate homelessness in the city, but in the meantime the interfaith community helps to fund services for the remaining homeless “neighbors” with job counseling, mailboxes, eyeglasses, showers, laundry and access to telephones at the Urban Ministry Center. Is the ministry successful? Homelessness is decreasing.  A simple process of sharing from a personal perspective in a diverse forum organized by a group called the Red Boot Coalition quietly promotes peace and acceptance of different experiences of life and the different points of view that result. People who attend the meetings, open to the public, learn the power of listening without judgments.  Are they successful?  But these are publicized successes. How do we experience success when we’re not in the spotlight?

Success is interdependent. Some of us think accumulating credentials or experience will lead to professional success; but many people have experience and training, but do not feel successful. Education and experiences may contribute to our feeling successful, but without a clear purpose for our actions, the feeling can be elusive. Success is not a result, it is an intention born of faith; faith in the conspiracy of the universe to be for us, with us and through us as creative energy. Success is mattering to others as well as to yourself. Success is being aware of the impact of your presence on the family, the stranger, the team, the company, the society, the world, the universe. Success is knowing that you are trustworthy; and therefore trusted for the authenticity of your intentions. Success is listening and responding actively, because you have something to give that will bring peace.

Success is spiritual. The spirit of successful, creative journeys is deep within, coming from a reservoir of peace and liberation. The desire for control is anathema to success; success is letting go to clear a space for change. When we are in sync, aligned with the changing  universe, we gather that awesome energy that powers our focus.  The guidance of the true self lights the way through the “valleys and shadows” that distract us on the journey. Success is giving up the false self and allowing our true self to guide actions, because they are coming from an opened heart. Success is realizing that our success is not something we own, because it is not experienced in isolation. Success is interactional; it is with others, for others and realized through others.

Imprint yourself with success, not because you will be better or more lovable, but because loving kindness is your birthright. Be who you are; be the loving spirit of success and you will surely feel it.

With much love,

Ndidi