A new definition of Success

Success
I have been dancing with this word for a while now
What does it mean? How do I relate to the word?
How does the word relate to me?
Am I successful?

You see, for the last 10 years I have shunned worldly SUCCESS
I have pushed it away. Rejected it like a cold-calling salesman
And disowned any part of me that desired ‘success’

Why, I hear you say
Why would you want to deny yourself success?
Well, there are many reasons

You see, my most important values are Wholeheartedness and Connection 
Followed swiftly by Love and Compassion 
And when I think of the ‘traditional’ meaning of success
None of the values that I live by are honoured

Most of the World still validates success as 
The amount of money you earn
The title or position you hold
The car that you drive
How hard you hustle
How many hours you work
And how much you DO

How you go about achieving this success
Who you climb over to get there and how you abuse your power 
Is somehow glossed over by the masses
Because success is valued more than kindness

So, in the past I rejected it all
Because those achievements with out Heart
Without Connection and Love
Without Compassion and Fairness 
Are as meaningless to me as as the empty old bottles 
I drop in my recycling bin

Thankfully a shift IS finally happening though

The tides ARE changing

Vulnerability is finally beginning to be recognized as a strength 
A value that pulls us together instead of ripping us apart
Having the Courage to have difficult conversation 
Instead of silencing our fears, doubt and shame
Is making its way into the main stream world
With our ‘Me Too’ stories that unite us as one

Countries are recognizing that happiness is as important
If not more than un-employment rates and GDP
We are beginning to see success as bringing our whole self
To every area of our life

As a white middle classed female
I fully recognize the privilege I was born into 
The gifts that have fallen into my lap that I’ve not had to fight for
And may be it’s for this very reason
That i will not shun success any more
I will embrace it with all my heart and create my own definition of success

Success to me is my continued commitment
To following my Heart and speaking my Truth
Success is treating myself with the same love and compassion I would a dear friend
Success is showing up in difficult situations with courage and compassion
Instead of remaining silent or turning away
Success is having goals and loving myself
Whether I achieve them or not
Success is recognizing that there is no final destination 
And that every moment is to be celebrated 
With no one moment being better than or less than the other

How does success show up for you? What is your definition of success? Let’s talk about it. I would love to hear your side of the story

Fiona xo