What’s Success? Who Says?

The nights are long (in fact tonight’s the longest of the year). There’s something about the closing of a year that invites us to reflect on what happened the past 12 months. What if we use this time to reflect on our success? But what's considered success?

If your Inner Judge gets involved

It can feel like a self-punishing slug fest.

Let’s not do that

Let’s do this instead. My meditation teacher, Marlena deCarion, has us list the people we helped and the successes we experienced, during our last class of the year.

So, what's success?

Just for fun, try her suggestion. And when you list your successes, include the small ones. Did you keep a dill plant alive in your garden or manage to keep your houseplants healthy this year (yes!)? That counts. Wash your dishes regularly? Manage to get out of your pajamas for Zoom calls more often than last year? That counts too.

Who did you help?

You can start small here too. Did you redeliver mail that came to your mailbox accidentally? Tip servers a little more? Track down your cousin and talk to her more often just to nurture the relationship?

Making these lists reminds me…

My actions matter. I matter.

And so do you. My book is out. If you need some extra inspiration to keep going, it can help.