Striving for Success: A Successful Strategy?

I've been casting a net through my mind, trawling for something to write about today.

It's not that it's been a quiet weekend here: My household experienced a visit from #1 daughter and a friend of hers yesterday morning and afternoon; a visit from #2 daughter and her husband yesterday afternoon through this afternoon; and an overlapping visit from my father-in-law, to see #2 daughter and her husband. Also the photos and video from their Hawaiian trip: a sort of belated honeymoon.

All of which was a series of good experiences: and left me with less time than usual to get my writing done. It was a good trade-off, though.

So Much Depends on What's Meant by "Success"

Today's homily at Our Lady of the Angels church mentioned our culture's emphasis on "success:" which generally means having an expensive house, and expensive car, and expensive clothes.

Nothing wrong with being rich. Or being poor. (February 4, 2010)

But if all a person wants is to have as much wealth as possible: I can see a problem with that.

This weekend, I spent more time being with my family than I did working at being 'successful' in the business sense of the word. I think I made the right decision. Family's important.

So is God, and a Christian's relationship with God.

Which is why I like to spend Sundays doing that "cultivation of the mind" that we're supposed to do. (January 2, 2010) I went to Mass, of course: but somewhere in the early afternoon my body decided that I needed a nap. I woke in time to say goodbye to #2 daughter and my son-in-law, but got precious little "cultivation" done.

I figure that nap was important, too: I feel a bit more refreshed now, than I did right after noon.

Bottom line, for this weekend? It was "successful" in terms of family time. I didn't spend Sunday doing the sort of reading, thinking, and meditation I like to do - but at least I gave myself time to rest. So, yes: I'd say this weekend's outcome was "successful."

Even if I didn't get much work done.

Related posts:

• "Brooding on Ecclesiastes"
  (August 1, 2010)
• "Work, 'Giving Back,' and a Saint"
  (July 7, 2010)
• "Money isn't Everything: But it Helps"
  (April 10, 2010)
• "Wealth, the Vatican, the White House, Corporate Headquarters, and Cultural Values"
  (February 4, 2010)