Success or Peace = Happiness??

Yesterday’s post, and Chuck Swindoll’s writing that I included, has really got me thinking…and thankful.

I used to live the life that he described…

I got up early. I stayed up late. I got about five hours of sleep most nights. That was “success.”

I worked out like a fiend. My body fat percentage was extremely low. That was “success.”

My focus was on making more money, earning our next pink Cadillac, creating my national sales team, saving for our dream home, building my dream life. Diamond rings, unit clubs of monumental sales, fancy dresses and clothing. That was all “success.”

Or so I thought.

Sure I spent time with my family. But in the back of my mind I was always thinking of my dreams, planning and contemplating. Was I ever really “with” my family mentally? I can’t say yes with 100% sureness.

I thought I was living for God, but in hindsight, I really wasn’t. I spent time in God’s Word, attended Bible study each week, I prayed daily, but I wasn’t really living an obedient life to Him.

I was on the run…and I was on the fast road to disaster.

God soon got my attention. We missed earning our next Cadillac by a small amount. That crushed me. The day we turned our Cadillac in for a Grand Prix was a very humbling day for me. I look back now and see God was teaching me, little by little, what was eternally important, and what living for Him really meant.

Now, please don’t get me wrong here. Mary Kay is a wonderful company to work for/with. I still firmly believe each woman in the world should become a Mary Kay Consultant at some point in her life because of the wonderful training one receives and skills one learns…life skills, communication skills, organizational skills, relationship-building skills, business skills, etc. My Mary Kay training has helped me in every part of my life. Really…EVERY part!

And I’m so grateful for my Mary Kay business still today. I love and appreciate my customers, my sister consultants, my sister directors and those who lead at Mary Kay’s Corporate offices. I still love sharing our products, as I firmly believe they are the best on the market. In fact, Wednesday night I had the opportunity to share them with two new customers here at my home. I still get excited about helping women feel beautiful on the inside and out. 🙂 Something happens on the inside when a woman feels beautiful on the outside.

But I look back at those years of striving and running. Oh, how I wish I would have done things differently. I wish I would have lived more balanced. I let the “worldy” possessions, the bling, and the stuff that really doesn’t make any kind of difference take my focus off the real reason I began my business…to be able to stay home and raise our children. I was given that incredible gift, and I believe that time spent with Ali and Zach when they were little has blessed our relationships in more ways than I can write here. We are a very close-knit family, and I believe it all began when they were babies. 🙂

I’ve seen, however, how God has used those empty years for good. I have been able to be transparent and share my story with others, prayerfully that they won’t get caught in the trap that I did. I feel if I can help be a wake up call for anyone striving for “success,” I’ll share my story every chance I get.

I find now that I have such peace. There’s no striving anymore. There’s no obsession of cars, diamonds, prestige, and “stuff” anymore. I get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Boy, that feels good! I workout to stay healthy. My relationship with God and my family are my priorities. God continues to bless my Mary Kay business and directorship, as I serve Him at Mission of Hope. He’s given me a love for the needy, the homeless, and the poor. What a contrast! I am able to be a mentor to others in a much more healthy way now…now that God has helped me live a life more balanced.

Success, in the world’s terms, does not equal happiness. Peace, from being in the center of God’s will, does.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!