Last night I read the most profound words. I couldn’t believe they were written over 100 years ago by a man! How could he put such poetic words to the thoughts and feelings I have had so many times as a woman in the 21st century?
Seeing a man grow rich, they say, “How lucky he is!”
Observing another become intellectual, they exclaim, “How highly favored he is!”
And noting the saintly character and wide influence of another, they remark, “How chance aids him at every turn!”
They do not see the trials and failures and struggles which these men have voluntarily encountered in order to gain their experience; have knowledge of the sacrifices they have made, of the undaunted efforts they have put forth, of the faith they have exercised, that they might overcome the apparently insurmountable, and realize the Vision of their heart.
They do not know the darkness and the heartaches; they only see the light and joy, and call it “luck”.
They do not see the long and arduous journey, but only behold the pleasant goal, and call it “good fortune”, do not understand the process, but only perceive the result, and call it chance.
In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result. Chance is not.
Gifts, powers, material, intellectual and spiritual possessions are the fruits of effort, they are thoughts completed, objects accomplished, visions realized. – James Allen, As A Man Thinketh 1903
You have certainly experienced the well-meaning stranger, family member, or friend remark on your luck. My grandmother, bless-her-heart, cannot help but mention “how nice it must be to be married to a rich doctor” whenever she sees me. I know she means well, but it never lands well.
My first instinct is to explain what it actually means. What our life looked like while we were away and what happened when no one was looking.
I want to tell her about the pile of student loans, the catching up we have to do on our retirement plans, the various forms of insurance we purchase to protect what we do have, the taxes.
I want her to know about the long days that turn into late nights, cold dinners, missed recitals and bedtime kisses.
No matter the words I use, that kind of sacrifice can only be understood by someone who has traveled a similar path.
Instead, I smile. Maybe she is right.
I am lucky, but not in the way she thinks I am.
No two paths are identical and everyone has their own story of how they arrived at the place they are now. Our stories are important, but they are the most important to the one(s) who put in the effort to turn dream to reality.
Mr. Allen won me over with his prose. He knew it then. We know it now. And I am grateful for his effort.
I see you.
I hear you.
You’ve done some amazing things to make the dreams of others come true. What’s next for you?
p.s. I’d love to hear your story and what you are dreaming of. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get started in a new direction. Why not schedule your free call?
