As a day of glorious sunshine made it’s entrance this week – I was inspired – to get outside – and do some tidying up – especially as the recent storms had caused a little havoc in the garden. Of course – compared to the damage that many people had experienced – ours was quite minimal – yet – nevertheless – did need some attention.

My heart sang as I worked – simply to be out in the sunshine did my soul good – even though the temperatures were quite low.

At the end of the morning – I was filled with a sense of achievement – for – although – to some – my achievements may have seemed very small – to me they were still worth celebrating – and I agree with this sentiment – “Celebrate your achievements – no matter how small they may seem”.

I guess – some of that sense of achievement – was due to the fact that I was indulging in one of my passions – that of being out in the garden – even though it was only clearing up – and putting things back in order.

As I worked – with that glorious sun – shining down on me – I began to plan for the coming Spring and Summer – with a sense of excitement – at the thought of growing and planting once again – which of course is something that brings me great satisfaction.

As this quote rightly says – “Achieving something – gives you a sense of fulfilment – so create your own happiness – by following up on your passions – and achieving them”.

It can certainly be fulfilling when goals are achieved.

I love having goals – even small ones – and my goals do change from time to time – which is okay – and – when I think about it – not all of those goals have been achieved . But – as a quote I came across put it – “Satisfaction of success – doesn’t come from achieving your goals – it comes from struggling well”.

Some of the things I have aimed for – have not worked out. I think back to the time – not too long ago – when I decided to learn how to sketch – and quite quickly realised that it was not something that – ‘grabbed me’ – or gave me satisfaction – but – at least I had given it a try – I had – ‘struggled well’ – and therefore was satisfied – even with the little that I did achieve.

With increasingly limited – physical function – in my body – I do find that I have to work harder – and be more determined – to make my goals work – even the small – day to day goals that I set myself.

But – “The harder you work for something – the greater you feel when you achieve it” – and for me that is so very true – as I push through – to achieve things that at one time in my life were so easy – it makes me feel good.

That sense of achievement is so important – that feeling that you get when you accomplish something that you set out to do – and especially – if you have had to work hard to achieve it.

But – for me – out of all the things I may have accomplished in my life – the most important accomplishment has to be – the ways in which I have inspired – or helped others – for – “Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life – it’s about what you inspire others to do” – and it’s my hope – that I have achieved that throughout my life.

So – I guess – my – ‘goal’ – today is – to encourage others to celebrate – even those small achievements – to inspire others – to follow their own passions – and – to – ‘struggle well’.

Blessings – Lois