March 15th, 2021

​Success
I don’t know that I want to admit it, but so often Merril says stuff that really gets me in.  She was talking about positively influencing the world and led me to a Forbes magazine article about those things.  Looking on-line there are many such articles, but I really like the one referred to.
In some ways it reminds me of so many on-line horoscopes.  They never say someone is a dirty rotten scumbag.  I am bemused by how many people were kings or queens in a previous life.  I wonder where were the subjects as there are so many kings and queens.  Yet what was said is something I am happy to hold to.  Some of it I have experienced for myself, and other things seem like sensible advice.
It starts with something I think is bottom line stuff. “They dedicate themselves to what gives their life meaning and purpose.”  To me meaning makes all the difference.  Not just meaning for now, but meaning for always.
Another point they made was “They commit to continually bettering themselves.”  For me it is way easier to do nothing, but I am guaranteed to have nothing to show for it.  I remember hearing about a guy that was thinking of learning the piano, so he asked someone if he should.  The person to whom the enquiry was made asked, “if you don’t learn the piano how old will you be in five year’s?”  “35” was the response.  “And if you do learn the piano, how old will you be in five year’s?”  “35 – how come the same?”  Things are a choice.  I am responsible for my own actions.
“They invest time and energy not in what is, but what can be.”  Maybe I’m a dreamer, but this is a big one for me.  I do not think I need to look far to see what is wrong.  Making it right takes more effort, but I do reckon it is worth it.
“They embrace critique.”  Again, I find this so important.  It is one of the reasons that where I can, I happily gain information from many sources before I act.  I may think my idea is brilliant, but I need to know if there is something in it that will cause me to come a cropper.
“They spread what they know.”  I would get frustrated when others regarded what they knew as “secret knowledge.”  I have always regarded what I know as public knowledge, and considered that the more that know, the more likely it would be to continue.
“They uplift others as they ascend.”   I really like that.  To me it is more than about getting there, but getting there together.  Naturally I want to be successful, but I do not want to be there alone.  I like company.  Not forced company, but willing company.
The final point they make is “They use their power and influence well.”  That to me is tied up with the previous point.  If I can cause someone else to feel good about themselves for all the right reasons, I consider I have succeeded.