The Law of Equivalent Success

"I am as comfortable with a homeless person as I am someone famous. I can learn just as much from either." – Danny Marz

 

The Law of Equivalent Success

As we drove along country roads I sat listening to Danny talk. He speaks in rapid succession, one work rushing off the tail of the last and onto the nose of the next. Soon, it begins to sound almost like a machine gun rattling on. But rather than being a weapon of destruction, his words are more akin to those belonging to those whose dreams have given to civilization all that it has of value, the spirit which serves as the lifeblood of our own country; your opportunity and mine to develop and market our talents.

Danny is a dreamer. He has the ability to take the thing he wishes for, what he believes in, and make it a reality. He's a person who can put his dreams outside of himself, no matter what others think of them. If he meets with defeat, it is always just a temporary defeat because he knows that every failure beings with it the seed of an equivalent success.

The "Law of Equivalent Success" simply allows the person who has a burning desire to stand and put his or her dream into action, and despite more than ten thousand failures, to stand by that dream until it's made into physical reality. Practical dreamers such as Danny do not quit!

I've known many people who have passed through many heartbreaking struggles before they "arrive." And, I've noticed that the turning point in the lives of those who succeed usually comes at the moment of some crisis, through which they are introduced to their deepest selves. The person, the owner of their deepest talent, is somehow released through the process of personal struggle.

So, if you're struggling a little or a lot right now, if you believe in one thing, believe in the Law of Equivalent Success. Look deep within yourself so you can discover your greatest talents, beliefs and faith. If you will, you'll find your greatest success just around the corner.

In the Eyes of Another

A teaching moment

In the Eyes of Another

Have you ever been talking to one of your children when you realized that it was one of the most important teaching moments of your lifetime? That's what just happened to me not more than nine hours ago. We were talking about goals when my daughter spouted out, "I don't know what the big deal is. I already have my life completely planned. It's not like it's hard or anything."

She went on, "I don't know why people think it's so hard. All you do is decide what it is you want and then go for it."

I replied, "It's not that easy for everyone. For example, I don't really have any goals." (I was just saying that to stimulate more conversation."

And that's when the real teaching moment began. But, not in the way I thought it would!

"You have goals!" she said.

"What are my goals?" I replied.

"That's easy!" she answered.

"You're making sure all of us have a good college education. And, you want all of us to be married to good people who share our beliefs."

It was like being hit right between the eyes for me! She was right. Those are two of my goals. In fact, they're right at the top of my list! It was a teaching moment alright; but, I was the one being taught.

I've long said, "You can tell what a person really wants by what they do." I guess I just thought I was somehow invisible when it came to my own actions. Yet, here was my daughter telling me what I really wanted as a result of watching what I've done and what I've said over time.

So here it is: If you really want to know what you want in your life, go to someone close to you and ask them to tell you what your goals are! See if you hear what you've been telling yourself all these years. I've found that it's much easier to fool myself than those I love.

Are you spending your life doing what you really want to do?

More Than a Voice Connection

"Are you proud of me?"

• Jessi Butterfield
  

More Than a Voice Connection

My oldest daughter, now a woman, packed her bags as she finished college and went off to chase her dreams in New York City. She was determined to make her own way and create the life she's envisioned for quite a long time.

After being on her own for some year and a half, she just landed a "perfect fit" job that will take her to the next step in her progression. Some may look at her now and say she's lucky. That may be true, but it's not the only reason she is where she is.

During the last eighteen months, I've watched from afar as she's knocked on door after door and done many odd jobs just to put food in her mouth. I've also watched as she's looked fear right in the eyes and then made the determination to go to work in spite of it. I even know that she's basically lived out of a suit case up until the past two months when she finally got a place of her own. For all these reasons I can truly say that I'm proud of her and the efforts she's made!

But, it wasn't until this last week when I was visiting with her on the telephone that I told her so. And, it wasn't until she asked, "Are you proud of me?" That I realized I'd taken way too long to say something. Now, for some five days, I've been wondering why I didn't share my feelings with her long before she had to ask.

Even though I was speaking with her on a voice connection only, I could see the gleam in her eyes as the words floated into her ears. I only wish I could have been there to see and feel her full joy.

There's a big lesson here! No matter what the people you love accomplish, their accomplishment is empty and hollow until they know how proud of them you are. You can be the source of an amazing, fulfilling happiness if you'll simply express your admiration on a regular basis.

So, tell those you love how impressed you are with what they've accomplished. Then, drink in the twinkle from their eyes, bask in the glow of their love and treasure up the experience in your heart.

Be Comfortable With Yourself

"They called me a geek because I was smart so I became a Cheerleader and now they call me dumb!"

• Annie Butterfield
  

Be Comfortable With Yourself

My daughter Annie is without a doubt the best speller I've ever known. She seems to be able to instinctively spell words. I marvel at this skill because I've always had difficulty spelling. Not being a good speller comes as naturally to me as being a great speller comes to her.

Annie is internally driven and that's why she's a great student. She wants to have good grades and works hard to obtain them. She monitors her grades each term and makes sure she has a solid "A" in every class. This isn't something she's been taught to do. It's something she wants to do. It's who she is.

Because she's such a good student there are others who began to make fun of her in Junior High. Some began calling her a nerd because she got good grades and participated well in class. As a result, there were many days when she'd come home with hurt feelings; all because she's a person of excellence. So, as is her nature, she came up with a plan to combat her detractors and soothe her tender heart.

Annie became a cheerleader so she could use her athletic talent as well as become more popular. She's an excellent athlete and enjoys her association with the other cheerleaders in her new high school. She's doing well! But, she's found that some have put her into another category now.

She came home the other day and said, "They called me a geek because I was smart so I became a cheerleader and now they call me dumb!"

She'd been in a class that day when some other kids were laughing about how "stupid" Cheerleaders are. Annie spoke up and said, "I'm a Cheerleader."

The kids chortled and said, "Yes, we know."

"Then I answered a question the teacher asked. Of course, they didn't have a clue as to what the answer was!" She said.

She's learned a valuable lesson that will serve her well if she can keep it. It's so important that I wanted to give it to you.

Be who you are. Enjoy your special talents and be joyous in them. Allow like-minded people with complementary endowments to befriend you and you'll live a life of fulfillment. Create your own way. Live independently, of what others appear to think, and enjoy an exceptional life.