Internal Success > External Success

You're in the ballpark.

In simple terms, I'd devoted all my time towards making money and didn't maintain my personal development (with goal-setting being included).

You must always set goals achieve one and move to the other otherwise if you achieve without setting others that is when you start asking what next?

Ryan,

I'd like to offer a different perspective.

Firstly, spiritual purity does not equate with poverty, nor is happiness to be found only in sackcloth and ashes.

I've met many who were absolutely blissful on their return from a luxury sea cruise and I've known others who trembled when they heard a knock at the door or the telephone ring, expecting further demands from their creditors.

Someone that I've known for many years is presently attending a six day religious retreat. When she is not meditating and chanting, she is one of the most miserable people alive; her own sister wouldn't invite her to Xmas lunch with the rest of her family because of the negativity she brings and most of her "friends" avoid her for the same reason. At the same time, she is caring and generous, spending much of her time counseling the families of drug addicts. Her many qualities are appreciated but few wish to spend much time in her company.

Those I know who are consistently happy tend to pay far more attention to the things they want in life - thoughts in harmony with who they really are. They appreciate the beauty of a rose and tend to overlook the thorns; they enjoy the fragrance of wild jasmine without being too concerned about its spread; they enjoy the luxury and comfort of a new car, a new house, or a new swimming pool without feeling guilty; they enjoy the company of others without needing to control and influence those around them.

The most miserable people I know pay a lot more attention to those things in their lives which they don't want - they are problem focused. They are far more alert to the dangers which surround them and what is likely to go wrong; when they look at a garden they are conscious of the amount of work required for its upkeep; they are keenly aware of what has to be done to impress and win the approval of others; taking an expensive holiday is almost a guarantee that their luggage will be lost and much of the time will be spent in bed recovering from a digestive upset.

In short, happiness is something you bring to the table; it has little to do with being rich or poor and a lot to do with whether those things that occupy your attention arouse positive feelings within, such as joy, kindness, gratitude, personal satisfaction, and appreciation of yourself, your activities and the world around you.

There are many who hold limiting beliefs which cut them off from joy in certain areas. For instance, societies which value small feet in women and, as a consequence, bind the feet of young girls so that, despite maturity, their feet will remain small though crippled. In such a society, for a woman to have normal size feet would arouse feelings of guilt and embarrassment.

This would be akin to a society which considered the unfettered use of two legs to be sinful and that individuals ought to show pious restraint and hop on one leg. Those who follow this convention win social approval and those "wild" things who run freely attract scorn.

Limiting beliefs are human inventions and have little to do with spirituality or inherent "goodness". As well, limitations which are fear-based are sometimes recommended by those who regard self-denial to be a virtue. This unnecessarily closes off many options. Thoughts which evoke fear are at best considered suspect. Those thoughts which arouse good feelings indicate a better path to follow.

Ryan, success in the second year of your business activities was likely the result of the work you joyfully undertook during the first year. Momentum built up during that year which started to come to fruition during the second year. However, your attention then began to shift so that the things you were focusing on were no longer in harmony with what you really wanted and those inner positive feelings didn't resonate in the same way or to the same extent that you had experienced earlier. You missed those feelings and started to feel lost without them.

I expect you've taken steps to reclaim them and are now paying more attention to matters that you do find rewarding. It isn't about being rich or poor but connecting with who you really are.

Ryan, simply be true to yourself. Run and walk with joy. Don't hop.

Ivan

Two of my goals are:

1) Continue to be my own boss
2) Empower people to live positive lives

These goals really keep me going. I don't think I'll ever lose interest in them. And money doesn't need to harm your happiness. Too much or too little. I think we can all be the boss of our own minds, our own happiness.