Comments for Lavender Log

Comment on Get grateful by Shonnie

Shonnie — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:32:48 +0000

My pleasure, Charles. Especially when the predominate cultural story is of “lack,” taking the time to notice all the blessings we have really does a soul good. I’ll anticipate a great face-to-face meeting.

Comment on Get grateful by Charles

Charles — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:37:40 +0000

Thank you for this. I will use to enhance what I’m already doing. I like the idea of an “altar” or place to go that is especially reserved for gratitude.

I didn’t know you were mentoring. Hope to meet you face to face some day soon. Charles

Comment on Success: How are you defining it? by Shonnie

Shonnie — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:35:19 +0000

Hi Will. Thanks for your comment. I agree that “failure,” like “success” are arbitrary terms. Knowing what success means to us personally allows us to know if our results are getting us closer to that mark (“succeeding”) or further from it (“failing”). Thus “failing” is a very useful and positive experience, not the think to avoid (which is how most people typically approach it).

Comment on Success: How are you defining it? by Will Atts

Will Atts — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:00:42 +0000

Love the post, but I always reflect on the term failure. The connotation is not really what we need to address. I love point one
“•Decide for yourself what a life successfully lived will look, feel, and be like.”

Everyone has a view, even a vague one, about how they would like their life to be. It will not always be the case, but that is not necessarily a failure. Part of the joy for success is in the pursuit. If you make a choice which does not lead to your vision of success, then you have learned something more about yourself and your life’s quest. That is not a failure but rather a situation which allows you to reflect and probably help clarify what your target really is.

Just as experiencing success makes you happy, not experiencing success will help you focus on what is improtant to you.

Comment on Success: How are you defining it? by Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:10:14 +0000

I agree with Chris. Some people have already encountered so many mistakes in their life to the point that they have already lost hope. But success comes after failure so I think they just need to keep learning from their mistakes and stay positive because it will just be a matter of time before they reach success.

Comment on Success: How are you defining it? by Irvingia

Irvingia — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:21:18 +0000

Hi Shonnie,

I’m on the path of personal development, and happened to stumble upon your post.

Whenever I hear the question, “How do you define success?” I always think, “Geez…there are so many ways to do so.”

It’s good that you mentioned values in this post. Because before you have a definition of success, I think you need to know what your true values are.

From your values, you can determine what your successes are.

Here’s an example:

For a person who values community and family, success might be defined as contributing to the community and raising a great family, with children who, themselves, contribute to the community.

So, if I had to define success, I think that’s one workable, practical, and worthy definition: knowing your values and working toward them.

Comment on Success: How are you defining it? by Chris

Chris — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:16:34 +0000

Hi Shonnie,

You said:
“Perhaps they’ve done it before and “failed.””

Sure they have, they need to look at this as a positive in my opinion however. Can’t remember who said it but the saying goes something like this:

“If you want to multiply your successes, you have to multiply your failures.”

Comment on Accountable to whom? by Loyd

Loyd — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:57:14 +0000

Well said – thanks for running it by again.

Comment on Accountable to whom? by Shonnie

Shonnie — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:19:12 +0000

Good to hear from you, Loyd. I agree with you in the power and value in having someone who is our champion and helps us remember who we are and who we are intending to be. I encourage all of us to be that kind of support for another and also to seek that support for ourselves. What I meant about service as the new accountability is this. When we see our lives as serving some worthy purpose and our actions as contributing to the fulfillment of such purpose, that inspiration may be all we need to keep us on our path. It’s an intrinsic drive rather than a desire to satisfy an extrinsic goal of “proving” ourself.

As I tell my clients, in the beginning, or in very challenging circumstances, it’s reasonable to “lean” on others to help us stay on track. At some point, however, our support system (at least the flesh and blood system) may not be within our reach, so it’s extremely useful to have another way to maintain our course. For me, service to one’s highest ideals and bigger vision can be that anchor.

Comment on Accountable to whom? by Shonnie

Shonnie — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:11:57 +0000

Pat, I’m so glad you’ve dropped by and have also chosen to stay connected. Thank you for your kind words. Your intention with your creations reminds me of why I enjoy homemade or handmade things — people so often imbue them with their heart’s love and that surely is a wonderful gift to receive (and to give, of course).