Or ... Re-Defining My Idea of Success:
I have been away from painting and blogging for a week. My husband and I travelled to Jasper, Alberta last week. It was fabulous to be away from the house, laundry and all the 'regular' things for a brief time! I think it's important to mix it up a bit, and do something out of your box. Stepping out of our box is what keeps us young and reminds us how life is fun and an adventure.
Finally, today, it feels like the house is back in order after our time away. Dust bunnies have been captured, laundry is caught up, sheets and towels are fresh, groceries are plentiful once again, and I am up to speed on my sons' homework and tests. So, I've ventured down to my studio (the basement) and have begun to put a fresh layer of paint on my current landscape.
I was listening to some ambient-type music, which is perfect for painting and sort of 'zoning' out. I got up after an hour to stretch and get a glass of water and thought I would change the music. I had recently purchased Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" on iTunes and hadn't listened to the whole song, so I clicked on that. I took up my paint brush and carried on, but the song was so fun and the lyrics "I'm on the right track baby, I was born this way" compelled me to hop up and dance. If anyone saw me I would be embarrassed, because truthfully, no-one should move that way unless they'd been drinking steadily for several hours.
When the song finished, I sat down and was struck with the thought that I have the best job in the world! If I was at an office I couldn't crank the tunes and flail about without getting fired! I wouldn't be able to do laundry and grocery shop in the middle of the day or have a nap before the boys got home from school ... I probably wouldn't even be able to be there when the boys got home from school!
I had been contemplating writing on 're-defining success' for a couple of weeks, and this little dance escapade was a perfect segue. More and more, success for me isn't having an expensive car or nice clothes (although, I do like nice clothes, I hate shopping for them), or a seemingly 'important' job. Success, for me, is simply feeling good.
The more I reach for experiences that feel healthy and good, the more I perceive myself as having a successful life! I love painting, even though I've never sold anything for any money that could be considered an income ... I love staying home and seeing my boys off in the morning and greeting them when they come home from school, even though that action may not be defined as 'important' by anyone but them and me. I love that I am able to bake cookies instead of buying them, because I have the time. And, that I can make soup and home-made birthday cakes, because I have the time! It's fun, and life was meant to be fun and I have to say that FUN feels successful!
So, while many people may consider success an accumulation of material goods and extravagant experiences, for me it is the simple ability to dance wildly in the middle of a Wednesday morning.
