By Allison Stein
My journal enables me to clarify my aspirations and commit to my dreams. All my life, I have felt compelled to answer the questions, Which choices contribute to my vision of success? Which directions complement my goals?
Below, I attempt to unravel an answer…
“I am determined to challenge the very boundaries of what I can be—my definition of success.”
- September 20, 2014: “[I]t’s more productive to believe in myself and look at my problems with a little perspective.”
- September 30, 2014: “[H]aving a plan allows me to identify strategies that could aid me in accomplishing my dreams.”
- October 24, 2014: “…I want to be my best; pushing myself as far as I can go leaves me with an incredibly rewarding feeling.”
- August 28, 2015: “I think it’s important to stay goal-oriented.”
“I’ve learned I have the potential to make a difference; I’ve learned not to hide myself.”
- December 18, 2014: “[E]xperiences have made me stronger.”
- December 23, 2014: “…I feel my efforts are worthwhile.”
- January 1, 2015: “…I can’t think of many limits.”
- February 1, 2015: “…I don’t want fear to take memories away from me…”
“How can I consider myself inferior when I have touched the lives of…people…who in turn have touched my heart?”
- March 10, 2015: “It was truly magical to think of how far I’d come; getting where I am has taken passion, courage, and tenacity, and I am proud that I never quit despite the challenges I faced.”
- March 25, 2015: “I thank God for helping me do my best.”
- April 29, 2015: “…I’ll try to stay optimistic.”
- May 8, 2015: “…I can’t help hoping…”
“…I’m not a quitter.”
- November 27, 2014: “…I am proud of how hard I have worked…”
- December 23, 2014: “I think it is wonderful to sometimes challenge myself with a situation I am completely uncomfortable with.”
- August 2, 2015: “…I’m a firm believer that people who work hard and trust in God can beat the odds.”
- August 12, 2015: “Yes, odds were against me, but odds were meant to be beaten.”
“[M]y aspirations would be considered delusions by many, but I champion my goals.”
- August 31, 2015: “…I have to remember to have courage.”
- August 31, 2015: “I have to be resilient.”
- September 14, 2015: “[T]he highest expectations placed upon me are my own.”
- September 26, 2015: “I couldn’t stop my hopes from sailing.”
“Focus only on people who contribute to your happiness.”
- August 25, 2015: “Sometimes I worry that I’ve become so accustomed…to being my worst enemy that I don’t know how to be my own best friend.”
- October 2, 2015: “Respect holds far more dignity than fear.”
- November 5, 2015: “…I listen to my conscience foremost…”
- December 30, 2015: “I…stood up for myself more than I ever have in the past.”
“I learned how tough I am, that I’m a fighter. Before all these headaches and heartaches, I never believed that I could be my own best friend and make my own happiness.”
- June 12, 2015: “It was about going above and beyond, about striving for all one can be.”
- August 21, 2015: “I’d never…compromise myself.”
- August 23, 2015: “…I want to do my best and push myself farther than I imagine I’m capable of going.”
- September 25, 2015: “And how encouraging to know how far I’ve come!”
“Regrets don’t come from failure; they come from taking shortcuts and realizing at the end of the journey that I’ve missed the most enriching part of the experience.”
- August 2, 2015: “…I wish I’d found the courage…”
- August 2, 2015: “Even if I lost, I would have liked to know that I made every effort, that I didn’t let fear stifle my potential.”
- September 13, 2015: “One of my greatest regrets is a chance I was too scared to take.”
- November 5, 2015: “[I]nstinct told me to go for this.”
The act of defining success has brought me a purposeful life. I hope you, too, find the courage to pursue what you believe in!