Now is this not something to think about? Because admit it or not, in today's age, success is determined based on material things and superficial ideas. And value is measured by one's net worth. At least that's what we can mostly read in the news, in magazines, on the net, and on t.v.

Think about it, the economy crashes down, the United States on deficit and unable to pay their debts results to a lower rating by S&P, and what do we think about them? That's it, they are going down, they are no longer the number one country, they now have less value.

That's a big picture and too much for what I really want to say.

In magazines, we are bombarded with how costly a couture bag or a designers outfit cost, expensive and loaded luxurious cars, how many mansions or estates a celebrity couple own in different countries, and we say, "Man, I want those!" We see the words "The richest man" or "The youngest millionaires. How they did it" and we are mesmerized. Their images on these magazines is what we picture success is. And we think to ourselves, how will I ever get to be in that position? How do I become a success?

And we try. We try and try and try. And we find ourselves lost, stressed, and with deteriorating relationships, and failing health. We think where did we go wrong? What am I doing that is not working? Why am I failing?

At this day and age, it is difficult not to be confused with what success truly means. I mean look at the reality shows on the television. I don't watch them, I am just aware that they exist. Why would people want to be in that position? It's about fame (superficial ideal), because it means money, because money means success. Is it worth it? Really?

There is nothing wrong in wanting, or dreaming a comfortable life, or dreaming big. But we should not forget that anything monetary does not equate to the true meaning of success or the true value of who we are. If you as a person, in your everyday dealings, manifest decency, integrity and respect, live each day without hurting or belittling anyone, doing the best you can so you be a better person for the people you love and the people around you, I think that you are closer to being a valuable person as anyone who is in the Forbes list.

To be successful is to be worthy of all the God given talents and blessings that are given to you; and only when you share your worth to others that you become a man of value. In my opinion, this is what true success means.

I am not going to lie. Being here in Yellowknife and being a stay at home mother drove me mad, unhappy, jealous, envious, depressed --- just plain ugly. Almost everyday, I woke up feeling sluggish, uninterested to what the day would bring because I knew how boring it would be anyway. So, I would go to the computer, open my mailbox, and see what the good people of Oprah.com have sent me to read for the day. The subject reads: 15 Things to be Grateful for Right Now. And so, I thought, "Now this I have got to read."

When I clicked on the email, my eyes were caught on these words: Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude Everyday. So I clicked on that and then my eyes were brought to these words: The Power of Gratitude: It's About What You Have, Not What You're Going to Get. So I read, scrolled down, browse, skimmed through words.

And then my eyes were here. Not only my eyes, but my mind was too. "Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life." And so I thought, "It's about what I have, and what I have should make me feel successful and fulfilled in life." But it was hard not to think of the things I want, or of the fun things I used to do, or of the people I used to see. It was hard not to think of the financial freedom I used to have when I was still working. Those things, the life I used to have made me feel that I was successful, that I was fulfilled. And this life I have now, I don't feel it.

But I continued reading. I had to feed my hunger for inspirational words that day. I had to know the simple ways to practice gratitude everyday. And as soon as I read, "Write cards or e-mails expressing your gratitude for others: genuine, specific and personal" I immediately clicked on my outlook icon and sent this email without finishing the whole article.

________________________________________________________________

From: January Go
To: Rania, Rishi, Kathleen
Date: 08/03/2011 1:09 PM
Subject: You are getting this email because...


Hello, hello...

So you are getting this email because I am doing "The Simple Ways To Practice Gratitude Every Day" (and because I am Oprah's disciple) and one way is to send an email: "genuine, specific, and personal" she says.

Yes, I am grateful for you... the three of you and your families and your love ones.

And I am a little smile happier today than yesterday. I hope you are always a bigger smile happier than yesterday.

January ^_^


And within minutes, I received these:

--------------------------------------------------------
From: Rania
Date: August 3, 2011 1:20:24 PM MDT
To: January Go
Subject: Re: You are getting this email because...

You are so cute and you made me smile so I am genuinely grateful that you sent me this email.
________________________________
From: Rishi
Date: August 3, 2011 1:14:05 PM MDT
To: January Go
Subject: Re: You are getting this email because...

I too am grateful for you and your family and your loved ones.

I too am a little smile happier today than yesterday. I hope you are always a bigger smile happier than yesterday.

just to add to that...you can say this and have your kids, loved ones say this too everyday..."Everyday in Every Way, I'm getting better and better."

Luv Ya Jan! : )
________________________________
From: Kathleen
Date: August 3, 2011 1:12:49 PM MDT
To: January Go
Subject: Re: You are getting this email because...

Oh, you and Oprah.
Love you too January
________________________________
And so needless to say, that made me happy. Words can do that to me. And so I gave my boys a group hug and continued on with my day. And yes, with a slightly but a lot bigger smile than before.

I stumbled upon this inspirational story and I thought that it is too precious that I should share it. It is really easy for us to be consumed by all the superficial things and ideals that we lose sight of what matters most in life. For me, being here in Yellowknife is a personal struggle --- a battle that I am determined to win. I know that every day, in each small ways that I can, I am better than yesterday.

I am grateful for a lot of things. I truly am. But there are times that I can't help not to have questions in my mind, yearn for things that I miss or for things that I feel my family deserves; moments that I feel helpless for there is not much I can do but to accept what is here.

And in moments that I feel lost, I hold on to the times that I feel are precious.