Success & happiness
August 29, 2012 § 2 Comments
I have been thinking a lot lately about success and happiness. And how they contribute to one another, or don’t, and whether they should, or shouldn’t. It occurs to me that if one’s happiness is influenced by one’s success, then it becomes very important to consider what success, in that person’s mind, actually consists of.
Is it a rank, status, or position attained? Is it a task perfectly completed? Or is it a task well-attempted, with lessons learned along the way? Is success reached by doing something with confidence even though it’s scary, or with a cheerful attitude even though it’s unpleasant? And how often do all these things change?
What are the expected outcomes in place when you are measuring yourselves, dear ones, and are they right? Are they fair to the reality of where you are, in all your human imperfection, in all your human potential?
You see I have more questions than answers. But the questions are the sign of the journey, and being willing to wander that way is a success in itself.
Sandpiper
February 9, 2012 § 6 Comments
When I was maybe thirteen, we were reading a collection of short stories as a family (we were great readers, together and on our own). I don’t remember the name of the book, but one story told of a woman who had gone to the beach to deal with her grief. She befriends a little girl at the edge of the water, a child with a tendency to find the happy things of the world. The girl has leukemia, or something like that, though the woman doesn’t know this until later on. If I’m remembering correctly, the child dies. But the girl loved sandpipers, and left the woman with a drawing of one and a bidding to be joyful (again, if memory serves me . . . has anyone else read this tale?). The title of the story I do remember: “A Sandpiper to Bring You Joy.” This phrase comes to mind so often for me, at random times, and always when I come across anything to do with sandpipers. I love it, and I don’t know why, except perhaps because of how it involves such a small, natural thing offered for the uplifting of another’s spirit.
Photo Credit: US Fish & Wildlife Service
So. Here you go. A sandpiper to bring you joy.
Kinds of Honey 