Success For You

 Are you a spectator in the game of life?  Where have you planted yourself? 

Are you sitting in the "peanut gallery" out of the action?  Do you wonder why you were born?  What's your purpose in life?  Are you afraid to "dip your toe in the water" for fear a shark will come along and bite it off?  Is fear of failure holding you back?  Is the fear of ridicule keeping you from trying something, anything?  How about rejection?  Could you stand being rejected by your peers?  Is it easier to fade into the background in the hopes that no one will notice you?  Have you been a victim when you've tried to participate in life?

 Do you occupy a "box seat" to life?  Are you highly educated with multiple post-graduate degrees?  Do you have an omnipotent view of the world?  Do you sit in your lofty ivory tower and proclaim to one and all what is right or wrong?  Do you teach impressionable minds to think and see things the way you do?  Do you really think you have all the answers to all the issues like religion, politics and social mores?  Have you ever joined the fray?

 Are you in a huddle planning your strategy?  Have you been educated in the craft you want to pursue?  Are you anticipating what life will be like for you?  Do you want to plan carefully so that nothing will go wrong once you embark on your endeavor?  Do you want to avoid all the pitfalls and potholes that could make you stumble?  Do you want to ensure happiness and success before you begin?  Do you wish you could buy an insurance policy that guarantees those things?

Have you taken the first steps to achieving your goals?  Are you looking over your shoulder to see who's on your heels?  Or are you plowing ahead, concentrating solely on your performance?  Are you brainstorming a way to "break out" of the pack?  Can you visualize, affirm or hear the way to your goal?  Is your goal worthy?  Does it serve a noble purpose?  

 Have you reached center stage?  Or are you still on the periphery, recording and reporting what's taking place, but not really in the action?  What do you need to take that final step?  Are you satisfied with where you've landed?  Is the next leap just to big to risk?  What's holding you back from attaining the pinnacle?

 Have you reached the top of your goals?  Was the climb up worth it?  Are you happy?  Have you shared your success with others?  Have you mentored someone who is struggling to accomplish his or her goal?  Have you sacrificed others on your way up?  Does your family love, respect and admire what you've done?  Would you do it all again if you could?

Success has many definitions. Only you can define what success means to you. Others may try to influence you, but it's your decision. Whatever path you decide to follow in life, jump into it wholeheartedly. If you stumble, get up again. If you fail miserably, start over. Life is short. Don't near the end of your life and regret what you never had the courage to try.