“The fruits of success . . .”

I read this article today and wanted to share with all of you.  We all want to be “successful” and many times we think that money and titles are tangible signs of success.  I’m sure many of you are like me . . . you have (or had) a career that is unnoticed by the world at-large.  However, you’ve probably touched people in ways that have had a lasting and positive impact.

Bea Positive “Bea-lieves” that my life is successful!  I hope you enjoy the article and will share with others!

by Deepak Chopra, MD

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131102024414-75054000-are-you-destined-for-success

An excerpt from “Are You Destined for Success?” November 02, 2013

The fruits of success, as measured in lifelong satisfaction, are far more meaningful. They consist of:

• Setting a long-range goal and fulfilling it.
• Building a secure sense of self.
• Becoming a unique individual.
• Fulfilling your potential in a satisfying way.
• Evolving in strength, love, and wisdom.
• Being of service to others.
• Living for a higher value that can be described as spiritual.
• Staying true to yourself.
• Becoming a role model.
• Being part of a stable and loving family.
• Living with dignity.

These are the ingredients of a truly successful life. You can achieve them in parallel to a brilliant career or a career that will go unnoticed by the world at large. Every deeply rooted culture has valued the inner qualities that produce worthy individuals, who are the flower of that culture. If you lack these qualities, becoming a king will still leave you feeling empty and miserable. What I’ve outlined is called the path of wisdom in the East, and it’s worth considering here and now. In a consumerist society driven by the ethic of win-lose, it comes as a relief to know that there is another way.

I Believe In You

“We are what we believe we are.”
C. S. Lewis

There are two types of people I suspect have no issue believing the best about themselves every minute of every day:  narcissists and someone who scores 100 on the EQ (Emotional Intelligence quotient) test.  The rest of us have good days and bad days.  I like to call the bad days “mental potholes” from a lesson I learned from Bishop T.D. Jakes.  Circumstances and people can drive even the most optimistic person to hit a “mental pothole”.  It is during these times when it is so easy to lose your self-worth and self-confidence.  Yes, even “Bea Positive” can and will drive into one of these “potholes” and need a “tow truck” to get back on track. 

It is inevitable that we will encounter some kind of set-back or difficulty some time in our lives – a “mental pothole”.  Some of us probably feel like we’ve had more than our fair share!  Most people want to help by “doing something”.  Sometimes being a tow truck is as easy as saying “I believe in you”.

It’s a very simple phrase, but said from the heart, it is very powerful.  I want to share a few phrases from a card that I received from one of my dear friends, Lisa-Marie when I needed a “tow”:

“I believe in you – in the things that are important to you and in the way you choose to live your life . . .  that you have many talents and wisdom to use them well . . .I believe in your courage, your compassion, your integrity, and your strength.  I believe in your goodness . . . I believe in you.”  ~Bobbie Burrow

We have all heard and been told that life is a journey, not a destination.  There have been many times throughout my journey, when I have I hit some major “potholes”.  If you have someone close to you who is going through a difficult time, remember that sometimes all you have to do is say “I believe in you”.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and continue “Bea–ing Positive”!

Positive Passion

“Every man without passions has within him no principle of action, nor motive to act. ”
Claud-Adrian Helvetius

Isn’t it ironic that the word Passion comes from the Ancient Greek verb πάσχω (paskho) which means “to suffer”?  Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something including the emotional extremes of love and hate (Wikipedia).   One neuroscientist noted that while ‘emotions can cause havoc on reasoning, the absence of emotion and feeling is no less damaging’. 

Scientists have studied and shown that your brain is “very happy” when focused on things that generate positive emotions.  Your brain releases all kinds of stress-relieving hormones which positively affect your body and mind.  It should come as no surprise that the opposite of passion or “absence of emotion and feeling” includes unresponsiveness, apathy, insignificance and disinterest. 

In “The Passion Test”, two neuroscientists say that the more you focus on what you truly love and desire, the volume gets turned down on the destructive emotions and helps you think more clearly.  (“The Passion Test” by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood)  So, it is important to keep our brains literally “packed” with positive thoughts.  I know when I’m focused on my positive passions and doing what I truly enjoy, I am energized and want to keep moving forward.

How about you?  How are you keeping your brain “packed” with passion?