Photo by Tony the Misfit
By Joy Wong
For most of my life, I’ve measured my own success based on grades, accolades, and other achievements. But lately, as I’ve become more attuned to the ways that I need to grow, I’ve been trying to redefine success for myself. Here are some statements I’ve come up with for this season in my life:
Success is choosing to be courageous in spite of fear.
Success is resilience in the face of distress.
Success is asking for what I need or what I want.
Success is being generous with myself and others.
Success is being gentle, compassionate, and patient with myself and others.
Success is paying attention and being aware of myself.
Success is finding sacred moments in everyday life.
Success is orienting my life not towards achievements, but towards what and whom I love.
Success is being in touch with my anger, instead of denying it.
Success is laughing at myself.
Success is not allowing shame, embarrassment, or fear of failure keep me from enjoying life.
Success is falling flat on my face and deciding to get up and try again…and again…
I’m sure I’ll be adding to this list and changing it as the seasons in my life change, but it’s been helpful to have this preliminary list to remind me to let go of my usual driven-ness and to reorient myself to grow in ways that I need to. Perhaps we can all help each other to see the potential for growth in our lives, beyond usual, worldly measures. I’m curious to know…how would you redefine success in your life?
Joy Wong has an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary, a BA in English from Princeton University, as well as four years’ experience in industrial distribution management. She is a contributing author to Mirrored Reflections: Reframing Biblical Characters, published in September 2010. Joy and her husband live in Pasadena, California and attend New City Church of Los Angeles.
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Joy, what a beautiful list of reframing success!!! Congratulations on your resilient journey of transformation. Your essay reminds me of a quote:
“If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” “The only way
out is through.”
Thanks for your affirmation, Young, and encouraging me in this journey! It’s been quite a ride:)
It has been a joy watching you owning more of yourself. I needed to make a correction about the book, “The Courage to be.” It is not by Rollo May but by Paul Tillich. In it says, “Joy is the emotional expression of the courageous. yes to one’s own true being. This combination of courage and joy shows the ontological character of courage most clearly. If courage is interpreted in ethic terms alone, its relation to the joy of self-fulfillment remains hidden. In the ontological act of the self-affirmation of one’s essential being courage and joy coincide.”
You have been quite courageous, Joy.
Thanks, Young!:) I’ll make the correction re: “The Courage to Be” in the comments of the other blog entry, where you mention the book.
Re: your comment, I DO feel more courage and joy lately! I hope I can keep it as I go back into ministry… especially my joy.
As you prepare to enter into your ministry, understanding inner peace as a state of consciousness is crucial.
INNER PEACE
“In the Silence, I find peace.
My peaceful place is not a room or a spot on the map. My peaceful place is a state of consciousness. The moment I turn my attention away from the outer world, I begin my journey into the Silence.
With eyes closed, my heart knows the way. The rhythm of my breath carries me as if I were lying in a gently rocking boat. Troubled thoughts, fears and concerns fall away as I move deeper. I go within and rest from the cares and busyness of my day. I am a spiritual being; I am God’s peace in expression.
When I resume my usual activities, I remain centered in inner peace. My words are kinder. I am slow to anger and patient with myself and others. I am at peace.”
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people. –Psalm 85:8
Joy, I agree with Young Lee. You are a courageous woman of God. It is clear that God has transformed your life. It is clear that he has given you his perspective on success. It is a joy to know you!
For myself, the definition of success is to truly be who I was meant to be and to be truly myself for God’s glory and purposes. Obviously, it is alot of things as you described so adeptly. But for me, it is simply being true to who God has created me to be and living that out as I honor God in all that I am and do.
Thanks for your comment and encouragement, Margaret! I imagine that being true to who God has created you to be takes courage too, as sometimes that may not match with society’s expectations. (At least, I struggle with this sometimes.)
I’m thankful that we can be women of courage together, instead of going it alone:)