Article: Successful Living

Successful Living

If you reflect on the meaning of life, if you involve yourself with conscientious living, if you love unconditionally -- then you are someone who attempts to live successfully.

How do you know when you are successful? Is there an indicator for success? These are questions that require introspection; nonetheless, everyone seeks success in some manner. The following quotation is one writer's definition of success -- perhaps it may be yours as well:

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men, and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; and has justify the world a better place than he found it, whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction."

Bessie Anderson Stanley's definition of "success" in Brown Book Magazine, 1904, as quoted in "Dear Abby," July, 1992).

You Already Have the Essentials of Success

Wealth, fame, position, talent, skill, popularity, etc. are not mentioned in Ms. Stanley's definition of success. As attractive and beneficial as these endowments might be, they aren't necessary for success. What is essential for success, we already have. Thinking that we don't have what is essential for success is what makes it elusive.

If you only view success as a noun - good fortune, luck, prosperity, accomplishment - you won't feel successful if these things do not occur. However, by viewing success as a verb - surmount a difficulty or obstacle, make headway against a problem, or weather a storm - you will actively pursue success regardless of the endeavor.

Success isn't static; it is a continual process that prompts you to strive to achieve the purest aspects of your mind and spirit.

Beneficial Psychological and Emtional Changes

Striving for success by allowing the mind and spirit to harmonize, allows beneficial physiological and emotional changes to occur due to a release of helpful chemicals within the brain and body. Certain experiences, such as pleasant moods and physical exercise, may cause this release.

Some of those brain chemicals cause changes that nourish the body toward anti-aging and immune building benefits that in turn create an inner calmness and positive outlook on life. The body has the power to regulate the sensation of pain by releasing an internal type of morphine - endorphins - that nerve cells are able to produce at any given time.

Endorphins and other natural chemicals help to numb or control pain and even give an overall sense of happiness. Although exercise is extremely beneficial, the body requires adequate rest in order for it to function properly.

Melatonin is Released Around Midnight

As the body sleeps, it prepares for a release of melatonin which is at its highest peak around midnight. Melatonin causes a deeper, more restful sleep. It is during times of deep sleep that the body's healing and immune building processes regenerate body systems and organs.

With enhanced immunity and decreased stress, the prospects of a longer, healthier life greatly improve. Enhanced immunity slows down the aging process and allows more time to resolve problems. Decreased stress establishes a successful living experience.

DHEA and Aging

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a steroid hormone, relates to longevity and holds great potential in retarding the aging process. It is a naturally occurring hormone that measures its highest in people who are in their mid-twenties.

There is a continuous decline to approximately 5% of DHEA levels in a person's early seventies. However, DHEA occurs at higher levels for those people who choose to focus and relax their minds while eliminating disturbing thoughts during this process.

An efficient circulation of beneficial chemicals produced by the mind and the body promotes a physiological and emotional balance that yields potential for successful living. The connection between mind and body is especially significant when the powers of the mind calm and heal the body.

Calmness allows clear thinking and is conducive to making clear choices and decisions. Viewing life calmly and with humor pushes away petty agitations.

A Smile Deflates an Argument

By taking a step or two back from your life, it's much easier to see the humor in an intense situation. Have you ever had a shouting match with someone and then in the middle of it, one or the other of you stopped shouting and began to smile or laugh at the absurdity of the argument? If you haven't done this, try it.

Laughing is an extremely effective way to end a stupid fight with both sides "saving face" and restoring friendship. A smile usually deflates an argument faster than you can imagine. Living life successfully turns potentially negative encounters into positive ones.

Each of us has the potential to make our life an "inspiration" and our memory a "benediction." The trick is to first discover our potential and then direct it onto the path of success.

Finding ourselves on the path, we needn't worry that there won't be guideposts. There are always signs and indications whether or not our lives are in balance. Look for the signs - they keep life on course for success.

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