Success Means Fulfilling Our Life Purpose (Previously: Measuring Our Personal Success)

We all live in a material world and each of us has material needs and desires. I have to admit, I do enjoy having my physical comforts and a sprinkling of luxuries, though I wouldn’t call myself largely indulgent. I believe that in our fast-paced, money driven world many of us have forgotten what it means to truly achieve success.

Several years back I had my astrological chart done and interpreted by a highly regarded astrologer. Many things she told me about my life and my family were true, as well as fascinating. The funny thing is, the one thing that stands out the clearest in my mind is our discussion about my “work.” I was a stay-at-home-Mom at the time raising two young children. Pursuing work outside of the home was the last thing I wanted to do. So when she brought up the topic, anxiety immediately set in. Since she had been right with most everything else she’d told me about my life, I trusted that she would be right about the job that she saw for me. Still I questioned her. I told her that I didn’t see myself doing any work outside my home and that hopefully she was misinterpreting my chart.

She asked me what I thought “my work” meant. I instantly equated it with drudgery and financial income. Then she clarified the meaning for me and I began to relax again. She explained that my life purpose was working to help other people; that it didn’t necessarily have to do with a job or money. It all sounded nice but I’m not sure I understood what she was trying to tell me; I had never heard that concept before.

Now, eighteen years later with the perspective of hindsight, I’m beginning to understand what she meant. Though I’ve independently developed my careers as a jewelry artisan and an author, neither focus has brought me financial success…yet. But both focuses have inadvertently become avenues to help other people. My blog, Love Your Life, is a platform that I use to connect with others who share in my mission to spread light, love, and healing to the world. My memoir Fine…ly: My Story of Hope, Love, and Destiny offers hope, validation, and healing to all who read it. And my web boutique, Rafi\’s Pink Ribbon Boutique is where I sell my breast cancer survivor jewelry and donate a percentage to benefit a wonderful research hospital,

Though I hope to eventually derive an honorable income from my ventures, I am not seeking financial riches in my life. Ultimately I will measure the success of my life and my ventures in terms of who I was able to help and how I was able to make a difference in this world, because I understand now that true success comes from fulfilling our life purpose.

Please leave me a comment and let me know what success means to you.

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