How committed are you to your own personal success?

Do you want it more than you want to go out?

Do you want it more than you want that new gadget?

Do you want it more than you want to breathe?

Don’t just say you want success – commit to it.

This post was originally published by MOE ARORA at Commit To Success

I’ve been thinking about what, if anything, that means to me. I tend to be one of those people who treats my birthday like any other day. I don’t really celebrate it.

Today, however, is different. I still won’t be celebrating in the traditional sense, but I have been reflecting, and I choose to use this day as a marker in my life’s story.

The last 3 decades of my life have been… interesting, to say the least.

I have had some great experiences. I went from watching the Grammy’s with wide-eyes and elaborate daydreams, to working with artists, and producers, who dominate the award shows and Billboard charts year-after-year.

I started my first business and kept it running – and profitable – for 4 years, until I got bored and decided to do something else.

I’ve had the great fortune of meeting, working with, and becoming friends with some of my biggest role models and influences.

I’ve also gone through more than my share of lows.

I’ve had to struggle for years to put myself through school and numerous unpaid internships, in hopes of finding a rare career opportunity.

I’ve had to learn the hard way what it means to run my own business, without fully understanding the complexity –  and ramifications – of accounting procedures and Quebec language laws.

I’ve had to mourn 14 friends’ deaths over the past 11 years.

All of these things, and so much more, are chapters in my life’s story. Some are incredibly fascinating, and some are really unfortunate – but collectively, they make me… me.

When all is said and done, all the cars, clothes, jewels and gadgets don’t make you who you are – your experiences do.

As a kind of birthday wish, my request to you, is to just take a moment and simply acknowledge that all of your experiences leading up to this day, whether good or bad, have made you the person that you are. Appreciate the fact that you are still alive to have even more experiences.

Obstacles are bound to occur in our lives, but we still control the vast majority of our experiences – so why not make them into memories we can smile about?

You can, and you should.

Today, I’m acknowledging all the people I’ve had in my life, at one point or another, who’ve helped shape me and my view of the world.

Today, I’m accepting the fact that I’ve had to experience difficult times, in order to truly appreciate the value of the good times.

Today, I’m entering my 30s with the experiences of a 60 year old, and the curiosity of a 10 year old.

Today, I am optimistic.

Today, I am grateful.

This post was originally published by MOE ARORA at 30