Real Success

American businesswoman and founder of the cosmetic empire, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc., said this:

I put a lot of emphasis on how to treat people. The reason for this is simple. The real success of our own personal lives and careers can best be measured by the relationships we have with the people most dear to us - our family, friends, and coworkers. If we fail in this aspect of our lives, no matter how vast our worldly possessions or how high on the corporate ladder we climb, we will have achieved very little. - Mary Kay Ash

Mary Kay knew that no matter how big her company got or no matter how much wealth she accumulated, none of that mattered if the relationships with the people around her were not as they should be.  The "Golden Rule" was Mary Kay's guide as she determined that any and every situation  as her guiding philosophy, determining that the best course of action in virtually any situation could be easily discerned by, "Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you". She also firmly believed that life worked best when priorities were in proper order throughout the day.  Her belief was that faith was first, family second, and that her career was third.  Interestingly, Mary Kay didn't launch her company early in life.  She was 45.

Mary Kay enjoyed making others feel good about their accomplishments.  She recognized those accomplishments the same way many companies do today, "by praising people to success".  The company's marketing plan gives recognition to the success of those accomplishments by prizes, rewards, and celebrations.

Much can be learned from Mary Kay's philosophy.  Actually, much of this philosophy can be found in God's Word, and can be used in our everyday life.  From her story, we can learn:

1.  Faith first.  Too often in our busy lives, work, hobbies, chores, schedules....all take  up the most time in our day.  When we deliberately and methodically make time for God, Jesus, the Bible, and the church, our life's priorities will just naturally get in sync with God's Will for us.  When He is just given the leftovers of our day, our lives will never be as He wants them to be.

2.  People matter.  It doesn't matter what you accumulate in life, it's the relationships with those around you that matter the most.  What would your family say is most important to you?  How do people feel when they need to talk to you - apprehensive? Afraid of how you'll react?  Worried that your reaction isn't worth bringing something up?  Would people rather avoid talking to you about something than face it?  Ask your family how they feel. They'll tell you.  Ask your coworkers. Ask your friends. It's quite possible that how you think they feel is not at all how they really feel.

3. Be positive with praise.  

Some people are just naturally pessimistic.  It's tough to be around those types of people.  On the other hand, some are naturally over optimistic, seeming fake about everything the do and say. There's got to be a happy medium in the mix.  One can be realistic, but find the good in everything.  There's always something good.  Always.  And praising the good in someone will bring about something even better within them. Hurrying kills kindness.  It causes us to overlook the good that's all around.

4. Find something to celebrate.

In each day and within each person, find something and someone to celebrate.  Compliments encourage when done sincerely.  Flattery only puffs up and leads to unrealistic expectations.  Keep it real.  Celebrate even minor accomplishments.  In doing so, the one giving out praise will find that not only does it help the receiver of the words, but also to you - the one giving it.

Real success is about the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father, His Son, the church, and with the people around us.  Don't be so busy that you neglect real success.  If you do, you'll realize one day just what you missed out on and it may be too late.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

A "People Meeting" at the Oklahoma State Fair

Sometimes things happen in a way that you just know God orchestrated it.  And even though you can't prove it, you just know it.

Saturday we spent the day at the Oklahoma State Fair. It's a family tradition of 29 years, only skipping one time in the span (for our firstborn's birth).  This year was special because we hadn't seen our college girl in almost a month and she and the college boy were going to be with us for most of that day.  We saw Disney's "Frozen on Ice", which was magical and beautiful!  Those tickets were purchased in January!

After leaving the ice show, our daughter had to leave, my husband went to see the show pigs, but the boys and I got in line to ride the Ferris Wheel.  In front of us were two little girls.  A man and woman stood along with them, but weren't in line for the ride. He and I made small talk during the wait.  He said he had quit smoking after having pneumonia several times and how the doctor told him it was either quit smoking or quit breathing.  After we got further in the line, he and the woman stayed back while the girls stayed right in front of us.  One of the little girls talked to me a little, even asking who I was riding with.  I told her I was riding with my boys, but I almost asked if she wanted me to ride with them. She was scared.  I decided that I should just stay with the boys and those two girls ended up having another young boy with them in their cart.

When we got off the ride, it was time to leave the fair park.  We started towards the gate, but over to the side, we could see that something was wrong.  The man I had talked to in line was on the ground, propping up the woman.  She was having, what appeared to be, a seizure.  I told my husband I was going to help - which he didn't realize that we had been with them for the whole time we were in line.  I asked if he needed anything and he said yes, that he needed help. My husband went for help and I got the two girls and moved them out of the main flow of traffic and out of the way.  I asked the one that I thought was their daughter if she wanted me to hold her. She did.  The other one stood near me. I tried talking to both of them.  The younger girl was scared. It was her mom and she was afraid of what was happening.

I knew the girls had just seen Frozen because we had already talked about that in line.  Two more women walked up with their young girls and they stood so that their view was blocked from what was going on with the women.  It was very scary and to see it, even scarier!  One of those women asked if the two girls wanted their "Olaf" snowman mugs.  That was so sweet of them to give those girls something like that!  The girls ended up laughing a little, but were still scared - especially the daughter of the woman who was having trouble.  She told us that the man was her mom's friend.  They were leaving the park to head home, so this was delaying that trip of about 1 1/2 hours.

The paramedics came. They put the woman on a stretcher. It was pretty obvious she wasn't going to be leaving, but would be going straight to the hospital.  She smiled a few times after the seizure stopped, but was in pain and distress most of the time.  Later the man told my husband she had just gotten out of the hospital the week before, and had been diagnosed with lupus, but she wanted to take her daughter to see "Frozen". It was important to her, even if she might not have been feeling 100% well.

As they took the woman on the golf cart looking ambulance to go to the hospital, the man came and got the girls. He was so thankful that I took them and stayed with them. After the other women and girls had left, I had my boys come talk to the girls a little bit, just to distract them from what was going on.  As they got up to leave to go to the hospital, the young girl that was just a friend began to cry. She was wanting to go home to her family.  The man assured her that he would call and see if they could come get her soon.

The rest of that evening, all I could think about was that family.  Was the woman okay? Did we do enough to help? Was there more we could have done or should have done? Could I go find her at the hospital?  My heart was so sad, even though I knew we had helped, I couldn't get it out of my mind.  I also realized that God was using us that day....that HE had caused that "People Meeting" (will talk about below) and that HE prepared us to be there for that moment.  Things like that get to me.  They make me realize how much He does in our lives ever day, even more.

Sunday morning we worshipped with the Memorial Road Church in Edmond.  The preacher was a professor at Oklahoma Christian, just preaching as a guest. His lesson was entitled, "Reach Out", but had to do with the fact that God sets up "People Meetings" for us all of the time.  These meetings are not change, but prepared for us by GOD, and He wants to use us for a particular reason.  That lesson also seemed to be planned. It was just what I needed to hear.

I am confident that what happened Saturday was a "People Meeting" arranged by God.  I only wish I knew the names of that man and woman. I know the two little girls' names.  I want to find out how that woman is doing.  I need to know she is okay.  I pray for that moment in that day, that man saw the love of Jesus.  I told him I would be praying for him. I wish I had prayed with the girls.  I was going to at one time, but other people came up, so I didn't. I should have.  I've prayed for them and for the woman and man a lot since then, but wish I had then - with them.  That would have showed them the power of God and the love of Jesus even more. That's my biggest regret in the whole thing.

So as you go throughout this week, be aware of the "People Meetings" that God may be arranging just for you.  He has prepared in advance, good works for you to do.  Don't miss those meetings.  Realize that they are from God. Share His love.  Share His Son.  Do what you can.

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10