How do you define success in life?

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Therein lay the crux of the matter. 

For whatever reason,  more often than not, its arrival has become incumbent upon the acquisition of things.  Some of the material ilk.  Others, the prestige and status ulk.  One and done.  You have arrived.  You did it.  

“Did you want that supresso mocha punkin’ protein latte, shaken not stirred,  to go? 

If that were the case, then what happens next?  

Basking?  

If it were me, I would get bored and fidgety in about an hour. Wait, like ten minutes.  I would have to clean, straighten out a closet, cut the grass. Put up a shelf. Rotate tires.  Rake. Swiffer.  

But then again, if I actually was able to do it for me, then, being my nature, I would then want to help someone else to get there too.  You know, coach. Mentor.  But it just doesn’t make sense to do it all for myself first and then for others later.

There was time and opportunity to support and help as I went.

Being a parent, I cannot just focus on myself and let the youngins’ figure it out for themselves.  Ma and Pa both get to become the exemplars. Creating the safe structure for self-discipline, a foundation for independence and the ability to pursue just about anything they set their sight upon. An empty nest means that they learned to fly without fear. Fall migration is now something to look forward to. Their roost can be long, but never permanent.

Same at the office.

There is no value in being Michael or Michelle Scott, prancing about, espousing the latest and greatest corporate jargon. Keep your kimono to yourself, thank you. You can don the parental/coach approach there, nurturing them to growth and advancement in all ways. Heck, surround yourself with others more capable than you in certain areas and let them run with it. Build them for the day you decide to call it a day.

Same in the community.

Don’t just stand at the podium and bark. Get out there and act. Volunteer. Be there for others. Bring out your best so that others feel the same way about bringing out theirs. Once you touch the pool of life around you, the ripples never cease.

So back to the question, “How do you define success in life?”

Bringing it out in others.

And yes. You have my “coffee” order correct.

Just make sure it is room temperature.