Dr. Michael Craig
Vol. 4, #14 – April 4, 2016
A Funny Thing Happened
On the way to Tybee Island, Georgia…
I was doing my best to keep my eyes on the road and see the flow of traffic. Suddenly it started pouring down rain and my vision became really impaired.
You see, I have double vision anyway, and just don’t do well driving and night or in bad weather. I therefore turned the wheel over to my lovely wife who continued to head down I-16 to Tybee where we were meeting friends and family to celebrate my sister’s birthday.
Then it happened . . . in the midst of the pouring rain and a long road trip . . . I felt happy!
I suddenly became aware of simple things, like how the raindrops fell on the windshield, the wetness of my water bottle, and how some drivers (my wife and I call them ‘The Immortals’) weave in and out of traffic in hopes of (I guess) “winning” the race to God knows where…
But nothing seemed to matter in that authentic moment of peace.
The Meaning of Success
The definition of Success to most of humanity usually involves money and financial well-being. While this definitely plays a part for me, real success is so much more than that. As any truly successful person will tell you, success is actually “a state of mind.”
This trip to Tybee made me think of this topic, mainly because its the home home of two of our best friends in the world – Chuck and Melinda – who are also two of the most successful people I know. I’ve known Chuck, like forever, so my wife and I occasionally pop in whenever there’s an invitation and the Big City gets a bit too much for us.
While Chuck and Melinda have never been rich financially (their home is the oldest and smallest one on their street), they love their family, make friends easily, and appreciate the smallest things in life. Our idea of a great time, for example is to share these small things: walks on the beach, the sunshine, a glass of wine, herbs from the garden, jamming on guitars, and even watching the traffic go by on their street with partying teens, vacationing families, and other inland folks looking for a little ocean air.
We agree on very little politically, our music jams sound like screaming cats, and cell reception at their house is very poor, but you know what? . . . It doesn’t matter!
The Formula
I think you probably know where I’m going with this.
The same success formula I speak of is the same one my Grandmother taught me decades ago, and the same one that rings true for each and every generation that will take time to sit still and listen. There is, after all, nothing new under the sun . . .
Happiness is a Decision – even in stillness and nothingness.
Happiness doesn’t come in a bottle, TV or smart phone. Nor is it held in the bank, your garage, portfolio, or safe. Happiness has little to do with excitement or adrenaline, and is often lost in the search for love, riches, fame, and the need to feel good.
Happiness is a decision. Without the decision to find happiness wherever you are, whoever you are with, and in whatever you do (even if its nothing), you won’t be able to slow down long enough to get off your I-phone . . . much less smell the roses.
So, a funny thing happened on the way to Tybee: I had another blast of happiness . .. . and I wanted to share it with you.
To your real success,
Michael
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