MENTAL LADDER OF SUCCESS

Part 3: "Pinocchio"

The question we need to consider is this: in every situation we encounter with different people or circumstances, are my behaviors and responses appropriate or inappropriate? In other words, are they moral and ethical, or not?

First, we should reflect on our interactions with those close to us—family, friends, and co-workers. Then, we can expand our consideration to include others who enter our lives. If we all possess a sense of worthiness (which we do), then everyone we meet has value. Each life presents us with opportunities to express our space, place, and contributions within our relationships at home and work through respectful understanding and appreciation.

As long as we struggle to find our footing, we cannot fully embrace the opportunities that life offers. It is important to recognize, encourage, and demonstrate our worthiness. If you find yourself facing challenges that consume your time and distract you from achieving success, remember that God has given each of us a unique skill, talent, and purpose.

We all have something special within us that can help us excel, and it's essential to give back to our family, friends, neighbors, and the community. When we embrace our own worth and value, we begin to recognize the worth and value in others. This understanding is essential for achieving a sense of wholeness in life.

Consider the story of Pinocchio. We are all like him, prodigal children wandering off in search of acceptance and recognition, drawn in by the glitz, glamour, and allure of the world. None of us is alone in this pursuit; we all seek to make our mark in the world. In doing so, we often set aside our sense of belonging, leaving home in a rebellious quest to embrace the ways of the world.

Why do we do this? To be acknowledged and to avoid solitude. We believe that by making a name for ourselves, establishing celebrity, or creating a legacy, we will find worthiness through the admiration of others, especially those close to us. However, even in our greatest successes, we may find ourselves feeling isolated. We often sacrifice our true selves and what really matters for the sake of perceived success in the eyes of others.

We often end up questioning our own value and the costs associated with it, particularly regarding our self-respect. By choice and consequence, many find themselves trapped in a maze, chasing illusions that serve as benchmarks for self-contentment. However, we soon realize that the more possessions we acquire, the more responsible we become for them. With each additional item we own, we must devote more of our time to managing and maintaining it. As we strive to control our possessions, we inadvertently reduce the time we have for freedom.

Eventually, we come to understand that our true worth comes from our connections as valued contributors to creation. We each have a part to play in contributing to the greater good, benefiting our family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances. By recognizing this, we can find value in ourselves within our small world.

Self-acknowledgment, rooted at our core, emerges through our connections. It begins with those we know and care about, then extends to those we work with, play with, or interact with daily. When we recognize that our value surpasses the time spent pursuing possessions and accolades, it becomes clearer how to establish balance in our lives.

We soon realize that the purpose of our ladder is not to hold us back or keep us struggling. A deeper understanding leads to the awareness that the rungs, steps, and lessons are opportunities to fully embrace all that life offers or asks of us in every situation we encounter.

Cognition reveals that these steps are not challenges; rather, they are rungs on our ladder of ascension. They become tools of freedom, allowing us to become all that we truly can be. As we grow within and through each step, we no longer dread their presence or appearance in our relationships or lives. Instead, we can utilize this new knowledge and awareness to enhance our efforts and respond effectively to each challenge as it arises. By understanding their purpose and learning to navigate them, we can harness the power needed to propel us forward.

Although our ladder rungs may initially seem like adversaries, once we see beyond the veil, we realize their power is meant to be used, not fought against.