Supporting the Success of Others

We are happy to have this blog post be part of the
Winter Solstice Blog Hop

Over the past few months, Chantel and I have focused on helping you recognize and achieve success in a variety of forms.  We began with a success inventory and built on that by contemplating a unique aspect of who we are and how that shapes our success.  Then, we looked at time, trust, and identity through the lens of success.  In our last post, Chantel used leaves falling from the trees to talk about letting go of what's preventing us from being successful.

As we enter the holiday season, Chantel and I would like to change our success focus to helping others achieve success.  As you go out to shop for gifts for friends and loved ones, consider how your spending power can help others achieve success.  In short, support a local artist or artisan, a mom and pop store, someone in your community.

We'd like to offer a little incentive by sharing three things with you - some great quotes about helping others, an example of some of the local places Chantel supports, and an opportunity for you to win something from us.

As I contemplated this post, I looked for quotes to inspire me and would like to share three of them with you in addition to the one above.

"The best way not to feel hopeless is to get up and do something.  Don't wait for good things to happen to you.  If you go out and make good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope."  Barack Obama.

"Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water - it will make ripples throughout the entire pond."  -  Jessy and Bryan Matteo

"If you're not making someone else's life better, then you're wasting your time.  Your life will become better by making other lives better."  - Will Smith

Below you will find my (Chantel's) list of the local artists, musicians, retailers and restaurants I support. I live in Los Angeles, so if you live in the area or plan to visit soon, make a point of stopping in to one or all of them. You can also order online from some of these organizations.

Finally, we would like to give something to you.  In the spirit of supporting a local business or artist, I should mention that Chantel and I are both local artists and business professionals.  Therefore, I am offering a copy of my novel, The Son of Nine Sisters.  Chantel is offering three thirty minute coaching sessions  and a copy of an Eddie Edwards and the Psychedelic Spurs CD .  To win one of these gifts, simply email us and let us know which gift you prefer and we will enter you into the drawing for that gift.

Art Supplies

Soft Expressions

Mind, Body, Spirit Classes, Events, & Workshops

Art and Soul Lab
 
The Yoga Loft

Heart of Voice
 

Be the Change Energy Center
 

Shelley Bell - Laughter Yoga

Barbara Schiffman - AKashic Records

Carole Pilkington - Astrology

Music

Eddie Edwards & the Psychedelic Spurs
 

Stella Davies

Debra DeLahunty

Ter Lieberstein - Loving Stone Productions

Peter Jack Rainbird

Food

The Green Temple
 

Follow Your Heart

Retail

Harmony Works

Made in the Valley
 

Michi Olson

Kim Jones - Sugar Skull 77

Holistic Business

Holistic Chamber of Commerce

Non-Profits

Sustainable Works

Southern California Foster Family & Adoption Agency

The Labyrinth Society

Veriditas

Holy Spirit Retreat Center

Prince of Peace Church

West Valley Food Pantry

Shadowland Foundation

Practice Engaging Your Inner Wisdom
Karen and I would love it if you would list, in the comments section below, the local businesses YOU support. Include the city where people can find these businesses and put a website or phone number so that people can reach them.

Remember that by shopping locally, you keep money in the local economy, help a neighbor stay afloat financially, and support passionate entrepreneurs.

We thank YOU for your support of Engaging Inner Wisdom all year! Good luck on winning one of our prizes!

Return to Winter Solstice Blog Hop

One Simple Tip to Boost Your Success

“ Success begets success” ~Anonymous

Do you know why “Anonymous” said this? Because any one of us could have said it, we’ve all experienced it. Think about a time when you’ve tried to do something new. If it was hard (success was more difficult), you may have given up, or at least found yourself dreading the idea of doing it again, but if it came easily (success was easier), you may have continued, or at least tried again. Success encourages us. It gives us hope, highlights our accomplishments, and makes us feel capable.

Most definitions of success include the words “prosperity”, “popularity”, “wealth”, and “goals”, however, I think being successful includes far more than having an outcome that involves money or everyone thinking we’re swell. Success moves beyond achieving goals, and into the realm of interaction with others, perception of self, and a life lived with depth and meaning.

Success is so much more than just performance, prosperity, and popularity

I continually assess my success, sometimes haphazardly, and in a few instances, with repeatable certainty. For example, every year, I do a “success inventory”, a process in which I take time to give myself kudos. I do my success inventory on a special day, my birthday. I don’t know about you, but to me, birthdays mean a lot! I love spending time with family and friends and visiting special places. Birthdays also offer a clean slate, a new year, and provide a marvelous opportunity to reflect and grow.

So, as Earth begins its course around the sun again, I take time to reflect on my previous revolution, and set seeds of intention for my annual adventure. Several weeks prior to my birthday I begin asking myself questions to get my brain thinking (check out “One Small Step Can Change YourLife” by Robert Maurer.) I don't’ have to find the answers right away, I just want my brain to chew on the questions for a while, ‘stirring the pot’ so to speak.

I start to think about what I accomplished, where I fell short, the challenges and unexpected opportunities that arose, and whether I reacted or responded to them, and how. I ask myself, “What was the general tone of my year in terms of my emotions”. I consider how my interpersonal relationships played out, where I need to take responsibility, and where I need to let go and not get caught up in drama – even If that drama is only in my head.

On the day of my birthday, I start out by creating sacred space. Whether at home, or a location like the beach or park, I lay out a cloth, using a material I love, select iconic items that have meaning for me, and light a candle. The candle reminds me to bring in the light, positive energy. Often times I will include a natural item such as a flower, leaf, or seashell, something that reminds me of my connection to the world around me.

Rituals support humans in their daily life

Once my sacred space is set, I allow myself to settle, spending time in meditation, either a mindfulness meditation, a guided visualization, or centering prayer. With that done, I begin to free write, allowing myself to remember my year; sometimes I will go month to month from my last birthday, other times I will notice the highlights first. What I’ve found, is that usually, I’ve had an amazingly successful year, not just because I’ve accomplished goals, but because even in my trying, difficult times, I realize that I’ve learned something, or taken away something of value that makes me a better person today. I end my ritual by considering how I would like my next year to flow – I don’t list goals per se, but rather, I set a tone, and come up with words that indicate my intentions.  This year I decided to focus on being joyous, inspired and confident; ultimately with those intentions I will be successful.

By engaging in my annual ritual, I recognize that “success” means so much more than accomplishing a goal, obtaining wealth, or becoming popular – success is a quality, a timber that defines my experiences. To be kind, is to be successful. To be happy, is to be successful. To be connected with others, empathizing, celebrating, contributing, is to be successful. I’ve had a rich and marvelously successful year, and I’ve accomplished quite a bit too!

Practice engaging your inner wisdom:

What does success mean to you? How do you measure your success? Do you engage in a birthday ritual, or other rituals to give yourself credit for your success? Have you ever considered doing a “success inventory” – try them daily, weekly, monthly, or annually – by taking stock of your success, you will bring about more success.