Generous Success
For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others. — Eleanor Roosevelt In Invisible Acts of Power, Caroline Myss, Ph.D. says there is a fundamental aspect of human nature that needs to reach out to others. Documentaries on BBC’s Planet Earth and National Geographic Wild show that other mammals have the same capacity. [Perhaps some aves, feathered creatures, and aquatic vertebrates too.] The ways humans choose to be generous [now that we’re building skyscrapers and space ships] sets us apart. We can give for many reasons, which could — let’s face the truth — be selfish, ego boosting acts. We achieve magnificence when, as Myss wrote, “The warm glow we get from helping others is not just a good physical feeling – it is the energy of a healing grace that moves between the giver and the receiver and blesses both.” Bless means to ‘invoke divine favor.’ Bless involves a mutually and spiritually elevating sharing. In the success realm, Forbes offers “10 Ways to Help Others That Will Lead to Your Success,” including: Share knowledge [while advancing your personal education] Introductions [providing beneficial connections and contacts] Read more Succeed and Soar’s “Your Heroic Heart” post suggested: Imagine a world where gradually, one-by-one, more people become heroes? The process is simple: Random acts of kindness qualify. I think the fear-driven stinginess and meanness that has surfaced lately opens opportunities to see those niggardly behaviors for what they are. [Did you know there’s a movement to declare Greed a mental disorder?] That understood, we can choose healthier, more magnificent and noble ways of being. DivineSparks, a blog that collects, “words, pictures and other forms of media that remind me I’m a spiritual being having a human experience,” offered this Invisible Acts of Power insight, Anything you do for others, as well as the support you receive in your own life, has healing consequences for the whole human community. Succeed and Soar! Support Succeed and Soar this Month. Keep these inspirations glowing and growing. Shopping at Sandra’s Gifts and/or Sandra’s Galleries also helps. Invest Here. Thanks! Mark your calendar Let’s chat first Thursday, 7pm Pittsburgh [Eastern US] time. Succeed and Soar‘s first Zoom Chat touched on the Big Bang, Critical Race Theory, how thought becomes physical matter and more. Goal: Build community by sharing uplifting, enlightening conversations. See you December 2nd when we can also discuss Ivan Doig’s uplifting and fun novel, Last Bus to Wisdom. Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Path to Joy: 11th of 12 – Follow Your Bliss
If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you are — if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time. – Joseph Campbell What is bliss? Answer: Perfect happiness. Gladness. Pleasure. Delight. Joy. I first heard “follow your bliss” on the eve before traveling to the Dow Creativity Center in Midland, Michigan. That charming town’s library had a whole section of Joseph Campbell interviews and lectures. After watching one every morning, I realized that life could be understood as an amazing and magical journey. In myths, heros encounter dragons and shape-shifters, unicorns and gryphons, basilisks and phoenix birds. I’ve found those traits in people. Against obstacles built by trolls and opportunities opened by fairy godparents, one goal is clear: Maintain personal truth, grace and internal harmony. As Abraham Lincoln said of the 11th Path to Joy: I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have. In that light, happiness is possible. How? Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. – Mahatma Gandhi A Path to Joy Arts Meditation: Grace & Harmony The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become. – Heraclitus What I like best about the picture: The flowing, multi-colored lines. Why I like the image: The lines suggest the graceful, harmonious, effortless dance that life can be. What the picture teaches: To me, this picture suggests letting my life flow toward beauty, grace and harmony. The insights gained: Be true to your work, your word, and your friend. — Henry David Thoreau I gain the belief that living in my best and brightest truth [despite the price], in finding and following my unique way through life as best I can is a Path to Joy. Seek joy and stay safe! NOTE: These ‘Paths to Joy’ are adapted from The Treasure Chest, an old book I found years ago. Page 117 contained “The Twelve Rules of Happiness.” Of special delight is using paints markers and ink to illustrate meditations inspired by this wisdom. The technique is adapted from the book Visual Journaling, Going Deeper Than Words, by Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox. For information about and to purchase the art, visit Sandra’s Galleries.