(Repost) Would you know success when it comes?

You know, there are so many lessons that I have learned by being a lover of Star Trek. I know, I can hear some of you groaning now, but you know that eventually I will get to the point.

I was thinking of things that happen that often escape our notice. These things that shape the future in ways that we can't see at that moment. In fact, certain things that turn out to be successes along the way which may seem like failures. A professional baseball season is 162 games long. The season sometimes seems interminable and one may not notice just what kind of season it was in terms of successes until one realizes at the end that they are the champions, or not.

Even in failure, the maturation of younger ball players can lead to a point where the team is now able to congeal and operate as a cohesive unit and then play championship-level ball.

There was an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation called "Loud as a Whisper" from the fifth episode of the second season where a deaf person named Riva had a very unique relationship with three special people. As a deaf and mute person, these people called his "Chorus" could instantly read his thoughts and speak for him and vice-versa.

When Captain Picard meets them, (from Wikipedia) he begins by introducing the away team. The woman says; "I have been expecting you", seemingly answering for Riva who remains completely silent. The warrior asks (Counselor) Troi if she is an empath. She nods and the warrior states "I am looking forward to this journey, more than ever because it gives me a chance to spend time in your company." Picard is confused and wonders what kind of communication is going on here. The woman explains, "It is a process that has developed over the centuries, one that I find most harmonious." Picard then wonders if Riva is deaf. The warrior confirms with conviction; "Born and hopes to die". Picard asks; "Then you all speak for Riva?" Together, all three answer yes. The scholar states; "We convey not only his words, but his emotional intent as well." Troi explains Riva's "Chorus" serve as translators, each represents an archetype of the man's personality. The Scholar represents Riva's intellect, philosophy and logic, the Warrior his libido and passion, and the Woman his wisdom and harmony.

This relationship was symbiotic and helped Riva to be a truly great negotiator settling conflicts all over the quadrant.

This one planet which had been at war for centuries cried out for Riva to come and help them. They were so entrenched in their hatred for each other but as one species, the feeling was that they had to resolve this and Riva was to be the conduit.

When they landed, one of the militant parties was not going to join in and ended up killing Riva's Chorus...all of them. As such, Riva was now without his greatest assets and was floundering about feeling sorry for himself and totally helpless, as well as useless. Counselor Troi, as an empath, was someone who could communicate with Riva and helped him to overcome this horrible loss. How? Riva was going to teach the warring factions how to sign to each other. In this way, this new common language would be a simple, yet eloquent binding agent for change.

I've written before on how to eat an elephant, and of course, you know the answer is "one bite at a time." When we lose weight, we should keep in mind our goal but we should also concentrate on losing only the "next pound" until we do reach that goal.

Any relationship should be based on how can I serve my _________ (fill in the blank), one day at a time. If we serve with a glad heart, there is a Biblical principle where we reap what we sow. Og Mandino advises, "I shall only sow good seeds today."

Zig Ziglar has said, "Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be."

Friendships are born and constantly nurtured and grown one memory at a time. Those memories build a condition of trust where future behavior can be predicted and relied upon.

Love is also a process by which we have one success after another. "Agreement" is the cornerstone of any loving relationship. You come together on one point after another until the point is reached where the two of you speak with one voice. After all, you DO have the rest of your lives together to get it right.

A salesman, if they are a good one, does not focus solely on the signed contract or the check. They focus on one "win" at a time...and each win must serve the customer answering their needs along the way. Unless and until this happens, a salesman's job is never done and future business can never be taken for granted.

Do we recognize our growth as Black people in this country for what it is, and what it can be? Do we acknowledge our victories? Does our youth look back on our history through such vehicles as "The Great Debaters" or other retrospectives and stand in applause for those successes along the way that allows them to be as "free" as they are today?

Barak Obama won in Iowa but lost in New Hampshire. Do his supporters acknowledge that his loss is a success or a setback? Does his message still resonate despite the numerical defeat or do we blame someone else for it? Perhaps this loss sharpens the debate and refocuses on common issues?

My blast on my page today was heard in a radio commercial and, God, what a powerful statement it is! "Today will be over soon." If you have something to accomplish today, don't wait until 11:59 pm to get started. Will tomorrow show up as hoped? What will be your legacy if it doesn't? By what deed/moment would you want to remembered by/as?

I am constantly complimented on my youthful face; a face that, despite its scars, belies my 57 years on earth. I can only attribute that to the genes in my family pool which reflect youth throughout but I also know that I live a happy life...a life that seeks joy wherever it is. I am so appreciative of opportunities to love and be loved by family and trusted friends. I am thankful for an affectionate heart and a romantic soul...both which contribute to my motto: "affection and humor--daily--is the key to a successful relationship."

So, as you start your day, or as you examine your day which is half over, or if your day is ending as you read this, can you recognize the success that is around you virtually everywhere. It is as the fruit on a low hanging branch. It is there for you to pluck and enjoy. If you need a ladder to get to it, make getting that ladder your first success story on your way to the delicious ending that awaits you.

Keep a smile in your heart and your arms open and welcome at all times. Be true to yourself and, like a magnet, people that need you and what you have/are will find you and splice their needs with your solution.

Again from Zig Ziglar: "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want"

May you know love, and success, today.

Don