Wednesday, August 18, 2010

How Successful Are You

How do you measure success? I feel, at many times, that I am not successful. But how do I measure my success? Is it by the amount of money I have in my bank account, or is by counting my failures, or is it knowing that I am not where I was 10 years ago. Do I measure it by allowing that thought that has been gnawing at my spirit that, I haven't attained that which I thought I would have by now, drive me not to act? That's my mind speaking against my inner self.

I have learned recently, that my motivation and my drive to be successful has taken a back seat. Seems as if I am simply going through the motions. I have recognized this because over the past 6 years, I have not been a finisher. I start and stop school, but I have not finished... I start jobs, but have no longevity, I have started an anthology of poetry that still isn't complete. I've noticed the closer I get to attaining my innermost desires and dreams, opposition hits the hardest. I know that there is a strength in me that knows that I can do all things...but I must "DO".

I say all this to say, that no matter what it looks like, no matter the number of failures, I am going to start one project at a time and finish it, see it through till the end. Failure is a part of success, but we must be careful with our thoughts. When it looks as if you can't, tell the opposition you will. It's more than having an "I can" attitude. You must have an "I will" mentality, no matter what the adversity may be. Knowing that the closer you get to fulfilling your purpose, the more opposition will be thrown your way. So prepare your mind for the fight, because it's never a a physical thing, simply a mind thing.

I am in active pursuit to finish the things that I have started, finding peace and fulfilment in those things. Is not about money, although I want an abundance of it. It's not about fame or recognition. It's a bout a desire to share, support and help others that may be where I was, and how to overcome and consistently and constantly reinvent yourself through dedication and focus.

So today, I am going to do and continue to surround myself with individuals that 'do'!!! And I pose the question to you to ponder, how successful are you?
Poem for today:

Standing Still

Everything is passing me by. The excitement of spring, which I love so dearly, the eventfulness of the summer and its sun, which I bask in, the winds of fall leaning into winter.
It’s been passing me by for the past two years and I fear that it will go on forever.
You know…standing still. Me standing still….
I love the summer blue skies and the beautiful butterflies,
The fall and winter midnight blue skies, some nights so clear you can see the ocean.
But it’s morning before I can sit on my porch and revel in these sites
The winter winds, brisk and cold,
Fresh air I want to stand and breathe it all in to see if any snow is coming.
But I can’t. I am standing still.
While all of life and its wonders are passing me by.
While time is ticking and Monday becomes Sunday after Sunday becomes Monday for me, because …I am standing still.
I can’t stand still too much longer, because something or someone is going to knock me down…
If I am still standing still
.

Lovingly,
Shamina

3 comments:

  1. Very good topic Shamina!
    Personally, my gauge is a simple one...I measure myself against the written goals that I set out to accomplish for the year, month, week etc. and I take a moment to reflect to see if they are still in line with what God has for me. As long as I am taking steps in the right direction and growing mentally and spiritually- I consider myself to be successful in this thing called life. Consistently making progress is all that matters to me...

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  2. Hey Girl,
    This is so awesome, I keep telling you that sometimes talking to you is like talking to myself , looking in a mirror.
    I can relate on so many levels it's not even funny...I suspect that we aren't the only two feeling this way...standing still

    But let me give you my insight on standing still...I can't recite bible quotes but i believe that when you are in doubt ,
    unsure, or hesitant ...to just be still and wait for that inner voice to guide you ...moving too fast often leads us to destruction
    and chaos because we sometimes miss the lesson to be learned. Whatever the problem or dilemma ...take your time and know that you have to calculate your steps and always look deep inside of you because God lives in you and he will never measure your success in the manner others do, because being human means to live in era, we are gonna make mistakes and sometimes we miss the mark all together, but we keep trying .

    Thats my two cents for the day...I don't have a blog account but you may post my response if you like.
    I love your insight, keep up the good work !
    Traci Correa-Nelson

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  3. I enjoyed this. This hit home because I have to remember that I can do all things thru Christ. It makes me question, where I'm putting my faith?
    Thanks for this nugget

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