I was sitting in a large building the other day observing the people filter through the door. I noticed folks with their head down and out in front of their body like they were trying to leave a part of themselves in the dust. Leading with our head is not a surprising phenomena in the American culture. Since birth we are born into a world where we are battling for position, and fighting for ‘success’. We are bred to base our identity off of what we have. Individuals attempting to gain power and credibility from their peers, partners and the opposite sex (even absolute strangers) through material status and intellectual power. It is no wonder we are constantly planning our next move.

This is a battle we cannot win. While we lead with our head and pound away on our never-ending to-do lists, no amount of time will suffice, and no action achieved will ever produce our true desire of lasting contentment. What does success mean to you? Is success not, at its core to create more happiness? How often do we place this happiness outside of ourselves, outside of this moment? I can be at ease when I just finish this last thing. I will be happy when I am the CEO of my company. I will be happy when I purchase my first home, and fulfill the American dream with my wife and kids. These are beautiful goals, but in the attempt to draw happiness from these outside sources we put off an opportunity to create and ultimately see lasting contentment, steady and shining right here and now. Furthermore, never really being able to focus all of our talent on what we are actually doing.

I spoke with my friend the other day, and he had the courage to tell me he knew, that even at the most successful position he could picture himself in the future there would be something lacking. He is a very respected musician, and has been successful in his work, and his music. He has the foresight to see his own stagnancy in ‘social success’, and the courage, insight and desire to seek happiness from inner reflection.

Nelson Mandela writes, “Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone, and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.”

If we truly pull all the energy from what we may become, and invest it in this moment we see that what we are is far greater than anything we can ever do. This opens up our ability to create. Our ability to create abundance on the outside is a direct reflection of our inner-state. These are two sides of the same coin. We have absolutely everything we could possibly need right here, right now. The more we realize this, the more we are able to sink into the comfort of our own creativity.

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True Success is Yours,

Eric Carter