Being Successful at Finding Our Value

        Last week's post seemed to work out okay, I think.  Dunno what you think, but being able to actually post something at the beginning of the week means that I get to think about something for an entire week before it posts.  So in a way, my view is the opposite of yours; I'm pondering before the post, and you after (one might hope).  Well...this one hopes, anyway.

So let's do this.

        As those who follow the PB Facebook Community Page know, I have a penchant for finding quotes of wisdom and wit to share.  I believe humans are communal creatures for a reason, including sharing our individual and group ideas and beliefs.  We learn, grow and thrive best when we are connected to others of our kind, especially when love and support are present.  Our physical, mental and emotional health is not just benefited by connections of those, related kinds, but without them we struggle.  Therefore, this quote I'm sharing with you today is very dear to my heart, for a variety of reasons.

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.

~ Albert Einstein

        I often hear/read about people who achieve great and amazing things, but whose lives are distant or have a sense of emptiness.  Then again, there are those who seem to have nothing to their name, and yet are living lives full of vibrancy, light and love.  What could possibly be the difference?

        Perhaps we sometimes confuse the two ideas of "success" and "value".  We somehow grow up thinking that the only way to have value is to be successful in some way, however our circumstances prescribed for us.  Get the high degree; get the highest-paying job; be the head of the company; have the biggest house in the most coveted neighborhood; have the biggest family... the list goes on.  Whatever it is that we think is the most important accomplishment, we spend much of our time and energy striving to achieve it, thinking that if we can only make it to that goal, we will have sufficient value that we will be worth love, admiration, acceptance...whatever it is we crave, from whomever we crave it.

        So then, I have to wonder the percentage ratio of success to value, in terms of how one feels about both, in context of where they feel they sit?  Does the company president feel as though his value is the highest of those down the ranks?  Does the new hire feel worthless, simply by comparison?  Does not having the top job mean that anyone else has no value, whatsoever?  And is it true that you only have value if you have the highest education, the biggest pay check and the most expensive things?

        If so... then why is it that there are people who live in utter destitution, who have to live by whatever they can find thrown aside or donated by others, who have absolute joy and light in their hearts?  Why can people of modest means have the same opportunity for love and hope as anyone else?  It at least seems they can, because many do... just as many on the opposite side of the spectrum end up feeling worthless and without hope.

        In fact, according to my observations, there doesn't really seem to be a correlation to such things.  It appears that "success" has little to do with the "value" one feels about oneself.  There seems to be no link between them, and yet we confuse them so often?  What is with that?

        Would you rather live alone in the sky rise, admired (or feared) by many, financially wealthy, but close to few? Or would you rather be surrounded by loved ones who demonstrate how much they love, appreciate, and value your place in their lives? We each choose what we feel is our priority list, and demonstrate it by where we spend our time, talents, skills, energy and effort. We strive for the things we find worthy... and cast aside the things, and people, we feel are less important.

        It isn't necessarily that we are bad people; we simply choose the things we appreciate most, and work toward satisfying the needs of those chosen. Don't get me wrong: I'm not against having the money, the house, etc., but I am trying to consider what is most important to me, and maybe help you to think about your own priority list. Our list can change as quickly as our attitudes do, so it can be just a matter of changing our mindset; being more grateful and more expressive of that gratitude; and doing our best to help make ourselves of value to those around us; in whatever way satisfies that need in others.

        I think the more we embrace those things that fulfill our deepest desires and needs, the more we will find our lives satisfying.  Perhaps we need to reevaluate how we are trying to fulfill our needs, and find ways that are more appropriate to our situations and futures.  We may not be able to have everything we want and need, but life is all about finding a balance with what we have available to us, and making it all work together.  Often, when we choose to follow what our hearts tell us are our purpose, we find the rest of it seems to fall into place.

        Better days ahead, my friends!