Success, we all describe it differently. However, what I've found on my journey is that the success that is portrayed in movies, on T.V. and so often in the business and sports worlds, is often very fleeting and only lasts in the moment.
You see, the very need for success is fueled by our desires. This desire to grow and evolve is inherent in every living thing on this planet and we're no different. We are compelled to evolve and grow just as the tree must continue to grow, blossom, and become the greatest tree it can.
The success I talked about earlier is really nothing more than ego gratification at it's finest because it is being defined by things that are external to us. We want something so bad that we're willing to crush any and all living things (including our inner self) to obtain what we set out to achieve. If we actually are successful in our ego driven endeavours, then the pinnacle of our achievement is only felt the moment it's achieved. Often times, the next day or even the next hour, we're actively searching for something to fill this insatiable void of ego driven success, no matter how big the prize we just achieved. Leading to always feeling unfulfilled, unhappy, and empty.
When gratitude guides our thoughts and actions however, our success is internal and will be fulfilling and meaningful. This type of success is different from the ego-driven success that seeks to hold, control, and keep the object of desire as a way to feel better about itself.
True success comes from inner fulfillment and with every success comes the desire for more. This desire to fulfill oneself, to become the greatest version of you that you can, is totally normal, natural, and not fed by the ego. In fact, the Universe is infinitely abundant and it waits to give you more when you ask for it. This is the type of success that society often overlooks.
What saves us from falling into the ego trap is to accept every gift that is given to us in life with humility and gratitude. Contrary to many peoples beliefs (and this is a biggie), it's not spiritual to shun external rewards as if it was proof that you're better or more holy than the next person (this in itself is an act of the ego!). In fact, accepting external rewards can be a sign that you're connected to your Source that wants nothing but the best possible life for you.
What we really want to avoid is the ego stepping into the picture and taking credit for all the good things in our lives. It's gratitude and grace that is responsible for our abundance, not the ego with it's selfish, anxious struggle.
"How can we tell the difference?" you ask. The difference comes down to fulfillment. If any good thing comes to you and you want to grab it, hold it, and feel triumphant, that's your ego. If instead you feel gratitude and warmth of the heart that these things have come to you, thats gratitude, the source of success that lasts a lifetime.
Ego gratification is temporary. Once it fades, and it always does, the only tactic the ego knows is to ask for more, and more, and more. Without external stimulation the ego feels completely hollow.
Gratitude, an the other hand, aligns your attention to the support of nature. You accept a deeper truth that success has always been present and all that happens on the surface is an unfolding of what was there beneath the surface all the time. This type of gratitude, that connects you to your Source, is totally life sustaining. It allows you to experience a life that just gets better year after year.
In other words, true success!
You've been listening to the Soul Mechanic and it's been my absolute pleasure to serve you. Sending you Love, Happiness, and Abundance. Now, and always.
Bye for now!