I often sit and ponder ...on this thing called life. Back then...and now. My life now surely is unlike when I was younger. Gung Ho! Sporadic, impulsive, not consistent, spur of the moment and a radical gal with a rebel attitude.
Nothing could touch me (I thought) and I was invinsible (I thought) and not replaceable (I thought).
That's what I get for thinking!
My beliefs instilled; taught by my parents, and most likely passed on from their parents through generations of what they all believed...what was best for us. At some point, I became an adult and changed my beliefs to suit my own needs....or maybe not.
My life didn't turn out the way I thought it would. I did the complete opposite of what my parents taught me and it took years to grasp the meaning of why. Learning lessons.
The whole irony of this is that I taught my children the complete opposite of what I did in those younger years. Maybe that's why they are responsible adults and didn't follow those "hard" lessons of life ...the ones of hard knocks. The ones like I HAD to go through to get to where I am today.
What does success mean to me now...compared to back then?
- Success is not measured by how much 'stuff' I have but by how hard I worked to get it. (how much or how little does not measure who I am)
- Success is earned from respecting others NOT running over them to prove my point. (in turn the respect comes back)
- Success is the gut feeling at the end of the day that tells me I have had a day lived right (and allows me to sleep well at night)
- Success is factual and not assuming. (Get the facts and don't let the assuming get the best of me)
- Success is within. It works from the inside and shows through to the outside. It's seen in my demeanor, in my walk, in my talk and in my attitude and behavior. (others can see from the outside in so no one is fooling me....but me)
- Success is real and is not letting things outside myself dictate how I feel about myself. (what others think does not dictate who I am)
- Success is being content with what I do have; not what I don't have. (cup is half full; not half empty)
- Success is being able to look at myself in the mirror and the person staring back is smiling and happy.(It's when I start talking and answering myself....is when I'm comfortable in my own skin LOL!)
- Success is having balance in my life and making sure my priorities are on target (time for family, bills paid, not overdoing anything that would upset the piechart of my life)
- Success is understanding that we live and die and it's what I do in between that matters. (What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind? What am I going to be remembered for? It sure ain't gonna be for the kind of car I drove!)
- Success is constant in this continuous learning lesson and cycle called life and without the contant changes of learning and growing I would be stagnant. (Living life without risk and trying new ways for things that didn't work before is agreeing to stop living.)
Success in Real Estate can be measured in many ways and for me it's mostly about how I interact with others because I believe our industry is about just that.
Interaction.
It's the 'quality' of relationships we have with others is what a professional is worth.
I got off my high horse a long time ago. And it suits me just fine.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
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i read another posts that you made the past 9or10ish days(that is how long i have been blogging on active rain) in i really enjoy it, your pictures too.
Mana: It is wonderful to watch the children grow up with good values and beliefs. I turned my parents hair grey ...too quickly.... LOL!
Lisa: Thanks a bunch! Welcome to ActiveRain Lisa Marie!
Success is understanding that we live and die and it's what I do in between that matters. (What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind? What am I going to be remembered for? It sure ain't gonna be for the kind of car I drove!)
Sally, so true. Stuff is just stuff, the relationship we make and have along the way are the rewards of our success!
Hi Sally,
Its when you realize what balance means to you, then success follows. :)
A great quote along these lines I heard was the definition of wealth - the ability to fund your purpose without working. To me that quote hit home as we all want to have success but what is success really mean? Similar to wealth - it's not how much you have; it's how you obtain it, use it and enjoy it!
Audrey: Sure is! Thanks for quoting that....it's the best line I live by .... :)
Suzanne: Hey there! Yes it is girl! Goodness knows we just may be on to something now :)
Tina: Wow....now that is a compliment! Thanks!
Ben: Exactly....and I really like that last line of yours...not how much we have...it's how we obtain it, use it and enjoy it.
Sally I am also glad that my kids have grown up doing as I say and not as I did when I was their age.
I like all of the "Success is Real" statements that you made, and for myself I would add one more by which I live by and that is "Respect for Myself".
Missy: I really liked that! ...and enough left over to help others with theirs.
George: No kidding! What prompted this was after I left the office at noon, I drove up to my mom's to meet my son and daughter...they hopped in my car and we went to lunch. It was such a warm and beautiful hour we spent. Joking...cutting each other down (lol) and just having a good time. It's not often we get together all at once... I thought about them while writing the success part. I'm happy....content....for the simple things in life....like an hour well spent :) and respecting self is #1.
Sally-
Wow.....that must have been some lunch to have sparked this kind of introspective writing :) Seriously, you have stated many good points....cars, and "stuff" don't define people, but not everyone has that figured out yet. You just keep on being who you are "Today" because that is who we all know and love.....not who you were yesterday, or even who you will be tomorrow.....just the Sally of Today :) :)
Sally, I just love how you have taken the scope of your life up to this point and come up with what success means to you. Terrific.
To add to your list, I have always loved Emerson's quote on success:
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Well Woo Hoo! Another masterful revelation about you. A rebel huh? That must account for the your strength and durability. Everyone goes through cycles,I guess I did as well, I just can't remember them off hand. Thankfully I have selective memory but I remember it as just a differnt level of my fabulousness then.
PS,I think I made the right choice the other day in not wrestling you for the title ( good for one day only anyway). The rebel in you may have come again,lol
Good morning Sally,
Right on, in every aspect. I too was a slow learner in my younger days. Today and for many of the past years I have ascribed to the teachings of my Mom. Dad passed when I was very young. I treasure and measure who I am by the friends and associates I made thru the years and by the caring successful son's that I raised. They weren't as slow at learning as their dad was.
Have a great day!
Hi Sally,
It's amazing how much we grow and change as time goes on and we eventually come back full circle, back to who we truly are, only now with the understanding and compassion for the creature that is 'ourself'.
You've summarized 'success' so well.....it is not something that comes easily, and some people never achieve it.
Jo
Sally!
It take a lifetime to learn when you should lead and when you should follow.
I do like pie, much more that pie charts!
Thanks Joan!
Marchel: We make our own success. So often I hear about "how much" someone has or does or whatever. Live and learn and the older I got I realized....it's more than that.
Kathy: Aww....you love Sally? lol! I know we have come a long ways from just writing...we've met, we've talked countless hours and continue to be ...straightforward and accept each other for who we are...and are not. I know one thing....I'm glad I met you....for real.
Patricia: Oh, goodie...another who's grown up...lol! I mean, if we look at it....take away all the stuff and what do we have....oh, goodness...it's a me! hahahah.
Lisa: Life is as tough as i make it (most times I stress about things I realize were needless) and it was when I realized it was about my 'thinking' and the behavior that came after is when I realized I needed to change.
Lola: Thanks for the wishes and compliments! Have a good weekend!
William: I can't imagine you anything BUT....being Fantabulous!!!! You think that those memories forgotten may be selective hearing? I think I have some of that....lol! No wrestling for me William...I may break something lol!
Randy: Or a hand at poker hahaha!
Neal: And whatever works for YOU. We all have our own ideas of what success is. (i.e. my experiences are now 'life experiences'...it helps me considerably with my business :)
Thanks Bob! I kinda figured you'd be on the same wave length :)
Jo: Yeah...but only people who are 'there' truly understand. I lost enough time with my children because I worried about things outside of 'self'...it's nice to spend a little time ....and cherish it :)
Steve: Ah...but pies I had to lay off of...(I think when one gets older ,.....the toll of junk food takes it toll.....finally :) Good insight...no longer a follower :)
Lil Bro...it's a reminder for me....what MY values and purpose in life is now.
That's sweet Diane! I usually can find a bunch to lift me up as well!
BB; I really appreciate that. Those are the comments I really remember. The ones that say "I'm proud".....kinda reminds me of my ...dad :)
Scott: good one! I might just go searching under a rock for more! :)
Great post, very well said and very inspirational. The meaning of success for me seems to change as I continue down life's path. Success to me today is that I worked out for 45 minutes. The ability to share my life with my wonderful family and friends is a constant. Tomorrow we will see.
Woo Hoo Sally...
At this point all I have left to say is...
Giddy up :)
P.S. Could you help me please...I fell out of the saddle again :)
TLW...ROAR!
TLW: I think I'll try and stay firmly planted on the ground these days :) You think that's what they call "down to earth"?
Midori: Thanks....ah...we all have a mind of our own....but it's all in the manner of how I handle my interactions :)
Sally, good stuff as always Sally! ;-) Haven't caught up with you for awhile. ;-) Hope all is well, and it looks as if it is. ;-)
Teri: Hey there! I need a bunch to catch up with too.
Katerina: Yup...it's different for all.....