Defining Success

Last weekend I had the best time with some of my favorite women. I left Miami with a full heart, and for the first time, I was excited to come home and write. I do some of my best thinking when I travel. I wander around the airport watching everyone come and go, and I just feel full of life. I had many thoughts about this week’s entry, but I chose to stick with the continuation from the past few weeks. I know most people would describe me as being “successful.” I have a great job, I am a homeowner, I pick up and go as I please, and I have enough funds to be as generous as I can and want. So if everyone around me describes me as successful then I must be, right? Well, we all know I am not the norm LOL. No matter how many people walk your journey with you, at the end of the day, it really matters most what YOU think about you. I used to be THEE biggest planner. I planned for everything. Plans on plans. Now I really plan for nothing. This doesn’t mean I am not goal oriented. I am, and each year I set financial goals, physical goals, and other goals for myself. Each week, and even each day, I set mental, spiritual and emotional goals for myself. I have said before that your flaws won’t always leave you, but you can do your best to overcome them each day. One of my biggest flaws was being quick to react. My sister and I were laughing recently because I said I would be more scared of me than of Timmy (my older brother.) He is 6’ 5” over 200lbs, but if I am mad I will go straight for the jugular hahahaha. Oh my goodness…I am awful!! Maggie even said “Yeah I am definitely more scared of you!” When I drive I can be kind of crazy, too. When someone would cut me off or ride my ass, I would literally road fight with them often yelling at them saying, “I do not care how big you are. I will fight you.” Meanwhile, I am over here not the biggest human, and would be knocked out with one punch hahaha. There is a point to all of this, I swear. One of the things I disliked the most about myself was how quick I was to react. It was something I decided to actively change and work on. I haven’t nipped it in the bud completely, but the reason is that sometimes the absurdities that come out of my mouth make certain people laugh, and I cannot give that up!! Now that said I no longer will hunt down other drivers LOL, but I will say funny things to make myself, and others laugh. Nothing is worth a car accident. Trust me, I would know hahaha. Some of the best advice I have received, and can give is to really master how to live in the 24 hours you have in front of you. Can you do this? It is with a peaceful mind, and happy heart that I can tell you 99.9% of the time I am able to do this. The more time I spend on this great planet I have realized just how many people experience anxiety. I don’t have anxiety, but I can see how worrying about the future will make a person’s anxiety worse. This is going to sound morbid, but I think about dying everyday hahaha. I mean I do!! This could be my last twenty-four hours here on Earth, and you bet I am going to make it a successful day.

So here we are. My definition of success. Wake up every day with a grateful heart; you are alive! Not everyone wakes up, and not everyone is even given a chance at life. Laugh. If I go a whole day without laughing I feel sad! Laughing with other people is more fun, but let’s be real you know I laugh alone. Enjoy every conversation! I don’t care if it is the guy at Starbucks, or one of my best friends. You never know what kind of day that person is having. This person could be the last person you talk to and vice versa. Find something you don’t like about yourself, and master how to handle it. I feel great on a day I could get pissed off, but I take a bird’s eye view before reacting. Road rage is a rare occurrence for me these days. I often say out loud to myself, “A car accident will take a really long time, but letting this loser go on his merry way will only take seconds.” If you believe in God, Pray. It doesn’t have to be formal, but just ask God to help you live this day to the fullest. On days I am in surgery, I am determined to return family members back to their family in a better condition than they were in prior to surgery. Find something you love doing. If you are in a job you hate, then that is a problem. As Americans we spend 80% of our time working. That is a lot of time hating something. Do whatever it takes to get where you need to be. Determination and persistence is everything! Don’t give up on anything. When things are a struggle it doesn’t mean that they are not meant to be, it just means they are not meant to be NOW. It is no big secret I want to get married and have kids, but that doesn’t rule my life. I FULLY trust God has it figured out. He sees the big picture. I am human. My vision is blurred with my little life here. I know he has my best interest in mind. That gives me all the peace I need. Did I always believe this? NO. If I go out with a guy, and it doesn’t work out it doesn’t get to me. Why? Because God has the perfect man for me, and that just wasn’t him. Thank God for the cross you carry. It will lighten the load I swear. Decide that your life isn’t about you, and make it about other people. I am here for all of you. My life is to serve the world around me. If I make you smile or laugh, then yes, I am SUCCESSFUL. My success has nothing to do with those stupid red bottom shoes, this house, any trophy I have ever received, or my bank account. My success is doing his will day in, and day out. My success is living a peaceful life, and making anyone around me feel love. When I make people laugh it makes me happy. I am not scared to be completely, and utterly ridiculous to make someone laugh. Life is so incredibly short! You bet I will be the annoying person on the elevator or the girl who talks to every cab driver. I was sad when I got an EZ Pass because I knew I would miss talking to the people in the tollbooth. If you feel overwhelmed as you scroll Instagram because it makes you feel behind in life, then stop scrolling. Trust me when I tell you that not everyone has it “together,” and all those things you see are not always what they seem. Focus on yourself, your twenty-four hours, and your journey. Live for small moments while you chase your big dreams. You will get where you need to be, and you will be SUCCESSFUL, I promise!

This week I challenge us all to make a small list of how we can feel successful each day.

“I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.” Bob Goff

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To Be Continued……

All My Love,

Reenie

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