SUCCESS--TO ME

"I am not fighting for success, just to get more beauty out of myself and share it with more people." ~Ben Okri, Poet and Novelist

SUCCESS

What is success? There is a multitude of definitions. For me, success means I wake up a better person than the day before, a life-long learner, perhaps tougher on myself than others but I strive to know better and do better as my role model Dr. Maya Angelou encouraged.

It's not always easy, especially in these “ugly times.” It is difficult to find beauty as the agents of hatred, racism, classism, gender bias, and sexism seem to rear their monstrous heads. So what is the deal with the blame and shame culture of forcing silence? What feeds this expanding behemoth I have no idea, but I want no part of it in my life.

I selected this quote and photo today because I was thinking about many things the past several weeks, especially how much my life has changed in the past decade. I have been through some stuff. In fact, I take issue with the saying "what does not break you makes you stronger." Kelly Clarkson may have penned a song about it, but Nietzsche penned the original quote I believe. Surviving unnecessary brutality hinders any genuine heart.

God knows I was on death’s door at least three times so I look for beauty.

Social media sometimes brings me joy but lately often annoys me with its cliches, repeat posts, and a lack of originality. So--I try to be unique with what I share with friends, colleagues, and family. I try not to simply re-post or regurgitate but peen something thoughtful or original. But beloved sometimes I am just out of words. I find myself baffled by so much of what I read as of late. The truth just is not the truth anymore. Facts are not facts and success seems to infer a triumph of “getting over.” Climbing over people, destroying communities, or engulfing the wealth of nations by force. These are not my definition of success. ?I share what I love and what I am concerned about in my heart, but I have lost my enthusiasm for politics and politicians. I do not strive for the mainstream definitions or metrics of success. I do strive for knowing better, doing better, and reflecting the beauty of this world we take for granted.

I love the color purple, l love flowers especially ones that blossom in unique ways (like the Lilly or Lotus or Japanese Hydrangea) so I often show in photographs the visual beauty that surrounds me so we can all prayerfully take pause and enjoy.

This quote however beckons me-keeps me humbled. It reminds me--that I am a work in progress. I cannot get haughty or prideful no matter what professional accolades showered upon me. The triggers that seem to deceive some and annoy others must not overtake my heart and soul.

I have to really strive at being a decent (beautiful) human being because the trials and tribulations of life's journey urge me to behave selfishly. So-- I purpose each and every day to be a gentle, kind, compassionate, and forgiving person. I oft-times fall short of articulating what is in my heart clearly and poetically like this blossoming flower. I want my words to motivate others to blossom as well so I am working on that too. I pray someday that the transformation of my life will encourage the beauty and compassion of others so together we can work toward a healthier and more beautiful world. I pray that someday I will find the precise words to bring you joy and beauty too. For today, enjoy this quote and this beautiful flower.

Always and forever,

Rising Sun #risetoexcellence #findbeauty #bebeautiful?