Success

 

The above quote by Thomas Edison is really drilling deep within my brain. Within recent years, Thomas Edison and his quotes have been mentioned often OR I am noticing them more as we are on this journey. Here is what I mean.

A year ago, Sharon and I sat down to figure out what we would like to accomplish in a year. Most of the stuff we added came true (mobile coffee option, relationships within various areas of life and city, etc), yet there was a handful of items that we did not anticipate or could not have known while we were dreaming.

The biggest item was the Wheely’s Coffee Bike. When it came in, to be very honest, I was taken back by all the items that we had to add to it. Then came the endless hours of getting it ready and the waiting for its approval. In the process, we found out the ‘ease’ of it getting licensed (as far as the Ohio government was concerned) to which we were thankful. Then came finding out what to do and where. A lot of time, energy and money went into finding spots and events that yield a very little return…at least not enough to support a family. Learning to simplify was tough and I am still learning to do that. We expected a greater return and easy opportunities YET we got more questions of “how” and “where.” Our starting dream was a dream and when reality hit- it hit hard! It was something that could easily send anyone walking away.

BUT!!!

Within the last few weeks, we have been getting more and more opportunities because we set ourselves up to be in various arenas of the city and have tried some different ideas. We wanted to add to what was going on (for example: Hilliard Station Park, various health runs that we were able to give back, local business opportunities, etc). Of course, we tried various things and either got a NO or no response. This is hard! Yet, to us, it is more that just coffee…it goes deeper. There is a driver that moves us to make certain decisions and make certain relationships. It drives us to be an acting part of the solution not just a voice. It drives us to create unity which springs relationships and possibilities only dreamed about. We know that as we reach out, someone will reach back and we will see our dream becoming a reality.

Its not about greed, popularity or special hand outs. Not the amount of money that comes in or spots we have. Its about staying focused on the goal – serving and building relationships.

Its what Sharon and I wanted to do a year ago and want to continue to do so that we could look back and say, “Yea- that was successful.”

Now it is up to you!

What drives you?

How do you measure success?

What do you need to stick with?

Or what do you need to let go?

Is it beyond yourself or within your control?