Sometimes many of us feel like we've made deposits into society, yet we are unable to make withdrawals. Whenever I have felt that way in the past, I read essays like Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay Compensation, which I made into a free downloadable copy and distributed last week in the special success issue of my ezine.
The other day a good friend of mine told me that I deserve to be more successful because I help so many other people, and so often without seeing a direct reciprocation. Just this morning, it was implied in another conversation that the internet community "owes" me something, in return for all the free site promotion and marketing information I give away.
But the truth is, I don't wonder about what the world owes me any longer. That's because I know better, through a long road of mental, physical, emotional and financial struggle, I've come to understand that the world really doesn't owe me anything.
I've already been paid, and so have you.
We get our gifts at birth. We're here. We're alive. We're given a set of circumstances, some to overcome, some to elevate us. And yes, sometimes it seems that the way the world works is unfair. But from a long-range view, is that truly the reality?
What's really the difference between you and the next guy? Is the next person smarter than you, faster to pick things up? Maybe, maybe not. But even in that capacity, the main differences between someone who is successful and someone who is just barely keeping their head above water has nothing to do with that.
It h as to do with determination, and taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you, more than anything else. The paths to the belief in yourself that yield that determination are many, but the end of that path is the same: success.
Know-how, you can buy or develop through trial and error. If your situation forces you to take the long road, there are endless venues for study on and offline.
So who cares if the next person is smarter than you?
Between two people on an otherwise even keel, with the same chance for success, the tie-breaker trait is the willingness to do what it takes to get where they want to go. And that person is more likely to keep their eyes open for that chance to shine.
Nothing you ever learn from me or anyone else is magic- if I had a magic wand that would *poof* bring everyone success and instill the principles it takes to maintain it. I'd do it. (At least then someone else could go to the movies with me on Wednesday mornings!)
I'm not done with my journey to success yet. But looking at where I started and where I am now, every pain I had to go through to get here, every moment I had of feeling that I couldn't possibly go on, every tear that was shed, was worth it. It all shaped me into who I am, and makes me grateful every day for every single bit of accomplishment I have made, no matter how small.
Instead of worrying about what the world owes me, I focus on what the world has paid me.
In return for hard work, I received the dividend of results. For my optimism, I got the ability to change my own universe through the power of thought and positive, well-timed action. In exchange for obeying the laws of attraction, I have more blessings in my life than I could have ever imagined.
We are not so much owed by the world, as we are indebted to its gifts, such as the ability to give. From the tiny seeds of intention we plant, we are paid continuously. Not only does the planted tree spout, it bears fruit and flowers that we can enjoy over and over - so long as we keep our roots strong, remaining grateful for both the rain and the sunshine.
Copyright 2005 Tinu AbayomiPaul
Tinu is a web site promotion specialist and the author of several books on search engines, blogging, and RSS. She frequently posts more motivational articles for the online home business owner twice a week in her blog at http://www.FreeTrafficTip.com.
My mother taught me how to teach others about the... Read More
First of all, you have to trust that you are... Read More
This is the sixth article in our "True Power" series.... Read More
Dr. Wayne Dyer has been an inspiration for me for... Read More
Most people want to do their life's work. Some people... Read More
It was a long walk but someone had to do... Read More
We have all heard the expression, "if at first you... Read More
How would you like to have what you want AND... Read More
"It's choice ? not chance ? that determines your destiny."... Read More
After years of terrorizing the countryside, hunting deer, poaching livestock,... Read More
The idea I'm about to share with you can bring... Read More
Everyone can draw from the Universal Reserve Bank. What is... Read More
If we all got everything we wanted, most of us... Read More
Nowadays the terms self-improvement, self-growth and self-help have become popular.... Read More
Most of your success in life will come from your... Read More
You get what you attract ? with your thoughts, words,... Read More
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More
What is a values-based life? A values-based life is a... Read More
'Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never... Read More
What was your energy level like today? Did you wake... Read More
Personal Self-Expertise is an invaluable tool that transforms the way... Read More
What role if any, does 'choice' play in the shape... Read More
Do you hear yourself saying? When I have enough money,... Read More
Perhaps, you have heard the phrase "May the force be... Read More
"Hoy-day! What a sweep of vanity comes this way!" --William... Read More
When you have an important event to attend there are... Read More
In the latter half of the 1800s, when the telegraph... Read More
Abundance isn't something you find from the outside. Abundance begins... Read More
Editors Note: Family Circle Interview (2003) with Dr. Wayne Dyer:Could... Read More
â??The snow goose need not bathe to make its self... Read More
You are a money magnet. Money is flowing to you... Read More
Recognizing your gift of choice is liberating. This means acknowledging... Read More
Have you ever bought a new car and then afterwards... Read More
Nothing ever happens by chance. Everything, good or bad, that... Read More
In the first parts of this series, we introduced the... Read More
If you live in modern society I'm sure at some... Read More
Dick and Jay sat on the ground outside the shed.... Read More
Transformational Counseling is a process of assisting others to transform... Read More
Not having much luck in love lately? Relationship falling apart?... Read More
What was your energy level like today? Did you wake... Read More
Whose life are you living? Are you living your dream... Read More
Let's continue where we left off in Part 1...We have... Read More
The Law of Attraction says that 'like attracts like'. It... Read More
Five-year-old Katie asked for a coin for her to throw... Read More
Imagine that each person on this planet carried with them... Read More
At heart, everyone's an artist. In practice, of course, this... Read More
'Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never... Read More
"There is a tide in the affairs of men, which... Read More
I first heard about this when I read The New... Read More
One of the first great things I learned when starting... Read More
Attraction Attraction |