S P I R I T OF S U C C E S S

Spirit of Success

Success often provides encouragement and confidence for one to attempt new or more challenging projects. What if one doesn’t have success from which to build? People, working in a business setting, often benefit from a mentor.

In Baggage Burdens. Joseph’s mentor is his neighbor, Thomas. Jill’s mentor is her bakery employer, Mary.

Joseph inherited his uncle’s farm, knowing little about farming. Though Joseph helped his Uncle Mike on the farm, his primary purpose of visiting was social. If it weren’t for Thomas, Mike’s neighbor and friend, Joseph would have struggled as a farmer at best, or failed at worst. Joseph’s success in growing produce leads to him following Thomas into selling his goods at the Farmer’s Market in Camrose. Working with Thomas enables Joseph to develop as a carpenter. As Joseph hones his skills, he begins to work on building projects himself. Joseph’s reputation as a skilled craftsman spreads. He develops courage to take on contracts as a part time job and then as his full time job.

 Jill accepts a position as a waitress in a bakery coffee shop based upon her limited experience as a part time employee at a fast food establishment. From her bakery employer, Mary, Jill learns the value of knowing the likes and personalities of the bakery customers. In addition to remembering Mary’s stories about the bakery’s regulars, Jill learns the skill of eves dropping while serving. Her increased knowledge about the bakery patrons gives her the confidence to prepare and suggest new menu items. Then she serves at private parties in the bakery and eventually organizes and prepares the meals for those parties.

Perceived failure dampens confidence. Joseph’s first ten years of marriage feels like success. He and Jill work and plan their gardening. They raise Daniel and Amber together. Their marriage isn’t perfect. Jill has issues about being touched. Joseph understands Jill’s past is the cause. As Jill’s discomfort grows, Joseph’s sees she has lost her “bakery joy.” He feels he is failing as a good husband. Lack of success drives him to his good friends and neighbors, Thomas and Rebecca. Their advice helps, but Jill’s happiness is only temporary. Limited success stifles Joseph’s confidence. Habitually he turns to his good neighbors for help. That action irritates Jill.

Joseph’s failure, his lack of success counters the effect of a good mentor.

Is success crucial for confidence? What story can you tell?

The topic for my next blog is “I’m in love. I’m in love.”