We’ve started a new ritual in my family. Every night at dinner we go around the table. Everyone takes turns sharing their biggest SUCCESS FOR THE DAY! We then celebrate and honor that success and ask what we can do to help with continued support. The next step of Celebrating Success is creating a compelling REWARD!
I don’t know why but this step of the Success formula has been hard for me. Last night was different. I shared my success (which I AM SO VERY PROUD OF, and will have to share in another blog). We’re in Destin, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and because of rain the last few days, I haven’t had a chance to enjoy. So I felt excited to announce my reward as a relaxing stroll on the beach the next day.
I had a busy day today. On top of everything else, I’ve had a very sore and red eye the last few days, so I had to make time to go see a Doc in a Box. By the time I finished trading, Dr. appointment, etc – I felt a bit stressed and needless to say, behind… So much to do. I almost blew off going to the beach – but I remembered “It’s Important To Celebrate Our Successes”!
At 3:30 I head over to the Gulf Island National Seashore – a beautiful, untarnished strip of beach and dunes. As soon as I crossed the boardwalk, I was breathless. The water was the most beautiful aqua blue, and emerald green I’ve ever seen. The ocean was very calm, almost like glass. The sky was robin egg blue with a few puffy clouds, and to my delight there were dolphins playing just out from the shore.
The stress of “I have so much to do” all just slipped away, I was in my happy place. I began walking up the empty white, powder sand beach- taking it all in. I’m a seashell collector, and after a week here in Destin, I hadn’t found any brag worthy shells. As I walked in the warm surf, I began seeing sand dollars – just floating in the tide. I couldn’t believe my eyes. After finding each sand dollar I’d say to myself, “How can it get any better than this”? I was totally present, trying to take it all in – the beautiful ocean, the magnificent dunes, the sea birds, and did I mention SAND DOLLARS!
This time of year, the sun sets before 5:00 pm in Destin. After about an hour down the beach, the sky toward the east began turning an amazing shade of pink – the sand even reflected pink as the sun was setting. To my delight a blue heron landed just ahead of me, I was so close, I could see the details in his feathers. After what seemed like an eternity standing an arms length next to this magnificent bird, he started meandering up the beach, into the pink sky. Again, I said to myself, “How can it get any better than this?”
I continued walking up the beach – I didn’t want this afternoon to end. I couldn’t believe my eyes – there in the tide were 4 sand dollars, all rolling gently next to each other. I stepped closer and leaned down to start picking them up – and out of the blue, something pinched my foot. I screamed, and stepped back to see a big crab meandering away. I said to myself again, “How can it get any better than this?”
I had to turn around if I was going to get back before it was completely dark. As the sun was setting, I was getting chilly. My wet hands that were clutching sand dollars were freezing. As I turned around toward the sunset to the West, I was amazed with the color show in the sky – beautiful shades of blues, reds, and oranges. It was spectacular. I stood at the boardwalk for the longest time, just soaking it all in.
I believe the Universe (God, Higher Power, etc) wants us to succeed. And when we are crystal clear on what we want, take the action to make it happen, and are open to receive – magic happens. My walk on the beach this afternoon was magical. In the back of my mind there is a lingering thought, “I wonder if I would have had the same experience if I hadn’t “declared” this as my REWARD!”
What are you doing today to celebrate your success? Comment below — I’d love to hear!
Adventure Toward Freedom 