How do you spell Success? How do you define success? Each of us has our own definition of success. Our view of success comes from what we value. What we value comes from our belief patterns.
Today I want to share a few success stories from the women in our group.
One of the values that each of these women share is tenacity or resilience. The ability to bounce back from disasters, disappointment, divorce, and the despair that often cloaks those hard events in our life. These ladies made a decision that was right for them. It took courage. It took listening to their own counsel, as often other people told them it couldn’t be done. It took prayer and faith that the outcome would be good.
These women made bold decisions, and with perseverance achieved their desires. Sometimes in life, we don’t realize the talents, abilities or skills we possess until we are put to the test. If we stay in the same position, and don’t stretch ourselves, our physical muscles will atrophy. If we don’t expand beyond our current thoughts, how can we grow? If we don’t try, we will die.
All new experiences, take an effort. How many times have you had a thought, or desire, and squashed it before it had time to germinate. It is in our nature to protect ourselves from perceived danger. However, often the perceived danger is an illusion. It is a culmination of tangled emotion, fears, generational mores of “this is the way something is done”. Don’t rock the boat, or cause a fuss, and heavens above, don’t bring attention to yourself.
If you are told, sit down and be quiet repeatedly, eventually you comply. One acquiesces, however the desire to express the goal, desire, dream, does not go away. It festers. It may be stagnant for many years or decades. The dream may lie dormant, until you give it the time, attention, diligence, and yes love, that both you and the dream need to bloom.
Yet, as these women and many others have shown us, when the opportunity arises take the leap. Better yet when, in confidence, you decide you will live differently, doing that which your heart desires and create the opportunity by your new way of thinking. Success, joy, excitement, and a life well-lived awaits. I am excited to share with you these lovely ladies and their heart felt success stories.
My friend, Lori who has a philosophy of lifelong learning, and a strong desire to be of service made the decision at age 60 to go to university and get her law degree. Lori will graduate this April as she is called to the bar. It has been a tough three years of study. Some of the biggest hurdles she overcame had to due with finding housing in different cities. She studied in Toronto, London and in Windsor. She did love interacting with the young students who were her classmates. They too loved being with her, as they experienced the love and wisdom, she brought to all their group assignments. Lori has her teaching degree, and taught and administered in a private school, which she and her ex-husband had started. She taught in the public school system. She is a licensed wedding officiant, a pastor, and has her real estate license.
Yes, I admire and am often in awe of her energy, her joie de vie, her incredible faith, and her unwavering friendship. This September she will be competing in a body building competition. Lori has overcome life experiences that could have been crippling. Instead, she chooses to draw strength from adversity. She is strong in body, mind and spirit. Several years ago, she read and was inspired by Heather McCallion’s book,” Hurricane Hazel, A Life with Purpose”. Heather McCallion lived to age 101, and was the longest serving mayor of Mississauga, Ontario.
Lori often asks me, “What do you want to do with the next 30 years of your life?” “Have you uncovered your purpose?” Lori motivates me to higher expectations then what I would hold for myself. I am so grateful for that.
Our next woman holds her dedication to her family as her north star. She is devoted to her children and grandchildren. Her artist ability colours all aspects of her life. She is loyal, indefatigable, and generous. Her dream to own her home has been a part of her for as long as I can remember. As children she would arrange and re-arrange the furniture in our room. She painted a beautiful mural on the bedroom wall. Her desire to have her own space, where she could be her authentic, artistic, kind, glorious self has been in her conversation forever.
I don’t know that my sister, Jane even realizes how inspirational, self motivated and passionate she is. She always finds a way. She has sewn cushions for the chairs she stripped, sanded and varnished. She is an innovator. If something needs to be done, she will find a way to do it.
These past few years she has renovated a trailer, learning new skills like metal turning. She was one of the first girls to take shop class in high school and won the Industrial Arts award for her projects. She also chose to pursue a new education and career after age 50. Last year Jane made the leap to purchase her own condo. Of course, it is getting the Designed by Jane treatment. She has created a sanctuary for herself and her grandchildren to thrive there. Her dream is coming to fruition, as she and her environment blooms. I am so excited for her. Her sense of humour and dogged determination help her overcome the many obstacles she has encountered. Her “Yes, I can” attitude is infectious. She brings optimism, light, and enthusiasm to all she encounters.
Many of us has been through trials and tribulations, this woman has had more than her share.
SevaRam discovered her spiritual path and her spiritual gift as she was searching for ways to deal with post-partum depression. SevaRam is an inspirational leader. She teaches meditation, and the importance of stilling the mind to calm the body. She started a group for heart led women entrepreneurs called HeartSpace CoLab so we can share our experiences, our tech finds, our wins and our struggles and learn how to be an online presence.
She encourages all to persevere even when the road is rough. She shares her vulnerability. Her courses and offerings are very well-received. She practices what she preaches. Her passion for helping others shines through in all she does. She is a pioneer in what she is doing. A thought leader, who is led by her heart. She is proof, success is what you make it.
I salute these women who have all defined their version of success. How sweet it is.
How sweet they are, as they and their dreams bloom, infusing joy and the brightening the lives of all they encounter.
What dream will you fertilize today, so it will bloom in your future? Your success awaits.