What is My Hill?

October 

Topic of the Day: Define success for yourself. Life is not a popularity contest. Be brave, take the hill, but first ask the question, “What is my hill?” 

Most people have goals in life. Obviously, goals run the continuum, but most people work toward something. In my late teens and early twenties, I had life goals, but too many of my goals were to satisfy other people’s expectations. I did not meet all my parents’ expectations, and my dad made that known in his will when I was not named as executor when he died. I did however succeed in accomplishing most of the goals I set. I continued through my life setting goals and meeting those goals with varying degrees of success. There are things I could have done better but overall, I consider the bulk of my life to have been successful.  

When this type of question is asked, many offer things like good relationships and a variety of things focused on others. Those are all important.  Professionally, I made continual progress. I increased my education level. I became a notable expert in my field as evidenced by repeated requests to speak at conferences. I was able to maintain positive relationships. I have worked to focus on God and live by Biblical principles. I consider my life a success.  

Now what? I am seventy-one years old. I have recently been given the responsibility of being a grandparent. I want to be a very good grandparent. I also want to continue to be a good husband and father. I will also continue to learn new things and stay in touch with the important things in life. For me, there is not one hill but several. Some people think they may have one hill but that is not reality. Some will have a primary hill, but life is made of large hills and small hills. They key thing is to continue to climb.