How many of you list your accomplishments every December to see how successful you were during the year? I do. Usually I'm hit slap-dab in the face with the amount of time I've wasted, but really, we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves. We're looking through our own eyes; others may see us in a different light.
You know I've been on a poetry kick lately. I came across the following poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). Thought I'd share it with you, give you something to think about as you make your goals for 2011. Maybe you'll want to keep this poem close during the coming year.
Success
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Below are two great quotes by Emerson.
“No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.”
"Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."
What would you like to accomplish in 2011? Want to share?
5 comments:
"The more experiments you make the better."
I couldn't agree more.
I keep such a list myself and always do a retrospective on the year. I never feel like I did enough and I know I waste too much time, but at least some things get done.
Love this! What do I want to accomplish? Wow, that's a tough one. Since I have a debut novel coming out in the new year, I feel like I need (NEED) to accomplish a lot. However, what I want, really, is for my words to touch someone. To make a difference in some way. If I have accomplished that, then I have accomplished the goal of writing for Him who gave me the gift in the first place.
Thanks for sharing the poem and quotes, Jess. I do reflect on my actions, but I don't approach life in a goal-oriented way. A long time ago a retreat master told me -- and I've heard in other places since -- that we are human beings, not human doings. To be is a way of life -- to be in God's presence, to be aware of life going on in me and around me and how I need to respond, to be open to God's call in my life so I can hear when he tells me what he wants me to do. That kind of being.
I like your poem :-)
Happy New Year from Southern California, USA.
Jess, I hope you and your family had a Wonderful Christmas Celebration.
God Bless You, ~Ron
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