A New Definition of Success

B”H

“You know, you might sometimes take yourself for granted, but there are those whose lives you touch who never will, and then their lives will touch others, and so on and so and so on, beyond count, beyond time.”  from the book “Choose Them Wisely” by Mike Dooley

I opened to this quote the other morning and it felt so good that I wanted to share it with you.   I had woken up in a bit of a “funky” mood (meaning feeling a bit low) and reading this caused me to take a deep breath in and let out a huge sigh. My body relaxed, my heart warmed and I felt a deep sense of gratitude to myself and to Hashem (G-d), that yes, I have done this, I have touched lives.

It may have been an encouraging word to an acquaintance, a compliment to a stranger, or an hour long conversation with a friend who just needed an empathetic ear.  Or after a coaching session, a client’s heart feels less heavy and after giving charity, someone’s pocket feels a bit fuller — these are ways that I’ve touched lives. And I know that when one person’s heart feels lighter, their worries have been shared or they just feel prettier, that they will then continue that chain of kindness and compassion onto another person.

There is a jewish saying that each person is an entire world and if you “save” one person, by influencing them in a positive way or making their life easier, then it is as if you have saved the planet.

Every day that I make choices to lift up someone’s spirit with acts of kindness — in thoughts (prayer), with words, or with actions, are moments of success. Whether my career is going as planned, my writings are read, my bank account full or my skirts fit, I am choosing this new definition of success and am left deeply knowing that lives have been touched for the better because I exist.

What is your definition of success?