Succeeding successfully

Heidi has asked me to find how I am a success today, and if I have any secrets to success.

I am breathing. That makes me a success at living.

I just got off the phone with a teary girl who is now happy doing something she wants to do and not watching TV, which is what she thought she wanted to do. I noticed a lot of silence during the phone call, and I noticed I didn’t tell her off or even tell her what to do – I just asked her what would work for her, and didn’t judge the crying. That makes me a success at learning to listen, and especially learning to listen without judgement.

After several hours of persistence, I finally sent out a bulk email from work today that was presentable and had lots of links in it. Now I can sit back and watch the reports to find out what’s working and what isn’t. I can see that makes me a success at persistence, at taking feedback, and at being open to innovation.

I am doing my 102^nd lesson in A Course in Miracles today. This is my 102^nd day of doing the Course this second time around. Last time it took me two-and-a-half years to complete the 365-lesson course. Although I have no idea how long it will take me this time, I know I have stuck to one lesson a day since I started it again in January, despite distractions and many occasions rebelling against it in my mind. I would consider this being a success at consistency.

I find myself still married to E, still living with her, and still loving her as much as I can. I moved to a new country to be with her, having known her only three months (over two of which I had spent away from her), I moved in with her two daughters, and am now living on the same property as her parents and godmother, she was in the middle of building a house when I met her and we’re still in the process now. In short, there were a lot of potential stressors inherent in this relationship, and it seems we’ve worked through many of them. I see myself as being successful today at being open to possibility, open to faith and open to change.

There are seedlings popping up downstairs and in the veggie garden, two compost heaps composting and one emptied for the strawberries, two beds planted and one nearly ready, and a worm farm starting to breed worms. I believe I have been successful at making much of this happen; I am successful at trying.

I have just begun managing a band, the Alliens, and it is a real joy for me. I recall managing the Book of Funk and how fast their popularity grew then, and I am seeing all sorts of possibilities with this new band, and it’s so exciting. Despite many shortcomings, I think I am a successful manager.

As for secrets to success, I guess the biggest secret seems to me to be able to accept success rather than deny it. Today’s lesson says, “God’s Will for me is perfect happiness. There is no sin; it has no consequence.” There is no sin. No mistakes. Every moment is successful; perfection. All I need do is notice. Sometimes, even, I am successful at that.

This was a tag, so I tag you. Whether you have a blog or not, how are you successful? What are your secrets to success?