Success: What Does It Really Mean?

By: Ilana Arazie

On Oprah the other day, Jane Fonda said during her interview, "It's a toxic desire to try to be perfect… The challenge is not to be perfect, it's to be whole."

Oprah then responded, "Wouldn't it be amazing to not have your life be about being successful or getting ahead? But what if our entire culture rested on how do I become more whole? Wouldn't this be a different world?"

Gotta love Oprah's aha moments!

Jen Macaluso-Gilmore, my modern day city guru, suggested I watch the interview and gently reminded me that being whole meant becoming mentally healthy, balanced and accepting of yourself - whomever that may be.

In my case, that is somewhat of an artist or creative, although I've denied it for most of life for fear that I wouldn't eat.

Macaluso-Gilmore explained that when you focus on being your true self, doing what you love simply for the joy of doing it, rather than for money and fame - that's when the riches come. (Don't tell that to Kim Kardashian.)

She continued on by pointing out that most people who experience long term success (meaning ongoing riches & fame) do so because they are deeply connected to what they are doing. It's not about getting rich or being famous for them.

Deepak Chopra also talks about our mistaken need for approval from external pleasures.

"Attachment to the symbols of wealth - cars, houses, bank notes - creates anxiety because the symbols are transitory; they come and go. When we exchange our Self for the symbols of our Self, we end up feeling empty inside," he writes.

Macaluso-Gilmore reminded me yet again that there is no such thing as finding security in these symbols, money or even the so called "stable" 9-to-5 job. There are people today who have supposedly "stable" jobs that get laid off or don't earn as much as they once originally did.

Security comes in being comfortable with uncertainty. It's in the not knowing, in trusting the possibilities of what may come and watching for signs that you're on the right path.

Of course, as typical city people just trying to pay our rents, we typically think of money first and conjure up big, manufactured ideas to create income. Ironically, it's only when we shift this order and do what moves us that the universe (or in our case, fabulous New York City) sends us fun surprises. Like jobs or projects that actually excite you and get you hopping out of bed in the morning.

You may even land a part in an altruistic, drama-free reality TV show. Everything is possible!

For more honest, and sometimes comical, daily stories of reflection and inspiration head to DowntownDharma.com

http://www.healthystyleny.com/2011/01/success-what-does-it-really-mean/