Dear Sacred Rebel, Wayfinder, Loving Leader, Brave One, Beautiful Human,
Have you ever stepped into joy, bliss, inner radiance - or flirted with the idea of doing so - and suddenly felt undeserving, ashamed, embarrassed, judging yourself for how could it really be this good? Am I really of my greatest service and impact and most successful with such ease, grace, and fun? Am I not supposed to be suffering, stressed, too busy to ever complete the list, exhausted, on auto-pilot, looking for the quickest solution and getting on with it? What will people think?
Or maybe you're like me not so long ago, and don't know what lights you up, what brings you great joy, what your passion is, or how to find the shining moments of the real you, or how to follow those sparks regularly, so burying yourself in “busy” and climbing the ladder - because that's what you're “supposed” to do - becomes a mindless (and not pleasurable) default.
What if our societal definition of “success” is getting in the way of our joy, our bliss, our contentment, fulfillment, ease, pleasure, freedom, impact, potential?
What if we were to stop outsourcing our definition of success and fulfillment and courageously determine this for ourselves?
According to whom does success need to mean being the busiest, most exhausted, burned out, unhealthy, emotionally frayed, sleepwalker in the office? According to whom is success measured only by material wealth and stuff as “proof” of our worthiness, of our value, our contribution in this lifetime?
According to whom can you not have deep joy in life, ample free time, endless compassion, and make an impact at the same time?
Society has burned a mythical mantra into our collective psyche, wrapped up in accumulation of stuff as a replacement for true happiness and “I'm so busy” as a respectable answer to “How are you?”…but this also means collectively we can redefine and democratize success for the many, one individual courageous leader - I'm looking at you! - at a time.
How might success be expanded to include purpose, fulfillment, joy, impact, human potential, the planet, compassion, love, creativity, lifting others, freedom, etc.? As well as living your version of your first class life.
What would it mean to democratize success for the many rather than a race for the “most stuff” only few can win? In society's current mantra the planet cannot possibly be an equal stakeholder, nor can the beautiful and talented souls like my friends in Sri Lanka and other countries of developing economies. In that equation there is simply “not enough" for all and the gap between those at the top and those at the bottom necessarily widens, keeping outdated hierarchies in place while we become so far removed that we are no longer aware of the system we're unconsciously participating in half a world away, or in the fertile and precious ground beneath our feet.
But what is “enough” when the goal posts, like an illusion, are always moving higher up the mountain? What if you're not climbing the right mountain?
How might following joy have anything to do with your own or others' success?
Follow your bliss and do not be afraid, Joseph Campbell said.
"Do not be afraid” is easy to say, and way harder to put into practice. To follow bliss takes courage. It takes courage to redefine success on your own terms.
I believe anyone can access their courage, and courage is built by recognizing and facing fears with both curiosity and self-compassion. By compassionately getting curious with our fears we build courage - courage to be different, courage to be joyful, courage to make decisions that align with our values, courage to follow purpose over the flock.
Fear is what holds us back from following our purpose and releasing our greatest potential on the world. And in joy (our true nature) there is no fear. So if we practice courage to follow our joy (or experiment with what that could even be) and are no longer afraid, there is nothing stopping us from reaching our highest potential. This means joy is critical to having our greatest impact, and perhaps a crucial component in a new definition of success for all.
What if JOY, contentment, fulfillment, freedom, values were some of the heavyweights in our collective measure of success rather than the biggest house or car, or the fanciest vacation you may not have time to take? (Not saying the other things aren't great, but they are not what defines us, our worthiness, our value - if they are what defines our greatness, then they keep us stuck in fear of scarcity)
What if we bravely follow intuition rather than the distraction of others judgements for our own transformation and leading a life of fulfillment? Might we be more compassionate? Empathetic? Grateful? Generous? Creative? Loving? Inclusive?
What changes might ripple out in the world from a collective definition of success that includes these concepts? How might business have a powerfully positive impact if leaders were to embody these traits regularly in their work?
We can CHOOSE to cultivate joy. Serving others and the world does not need to mean your own suffering, or serving at the expense of your own well-being. Serving or benefiting others means also loving yourself, caring for yourself, following your bliss - how else will you sustain with ease and strength?
But what is your joy? What is this inner radiance? When we are in our bliss, this is when we are the closest to our source, our own womb of creation, our infinite energy. Don't know what lights you up? That's totally ok! I didn't either. Tug on the threads of play, hobbies, creativity, the moments you feel your best, a full body yes in your decisions. In this place you will be the closest to the source of your inner gold.
Joy is a powerful measure for success. And in joy we are also closest to our sense of purpose, our participation in something bigger than ourselves, how we show up for ourselves and others.
I see you. And you are worthy of joy exactly as you are, brave one. If you already have everything you need inside, how might you begin right now to live and lead like you are not a troubled guest on this earth but rather are here to light up the world by being fully, fiercely, and unapologetically you?
