The Need to Succeed

The world is filled with glittering status symbols that seem to give us stature and self-esteem. But if the cars, houses, and fame brought real self-worth, one would assume that the rich and famous would never indulge in the destructive flameouts that fill the pages of tabloid magazines. Although it may seem like old news that money doesn't bring happiness, many of us still spend our entire lives chasing wealth. How does one let go of the need for cash and prizes and replace them with real self-esteem?

As with many topics we discuss on The Principles, I would suggest we look at the underlying causes of our need to succeed. The broken behavior that often drives my desire for material possessions is fear, or the opposite of faith. What are these fears?

Fear that people will not respect me. When I lose my self-respect, it's usually because I have a whole load of bad behavior that I've been dragging around with me. Having been unkind and selfish toward others, I begin to believe that I'm an unkind and selfish person. Why should you respect me? I become very focused on what you think of me and there is not enough attention or acclaim in the world to make me feel respected.

Fear that I will be poor. Although I didn't have much money growing up, I've never experienced real poverty. Against all odds, I've been given many gifts and have always been comfortable. So why this fear that financial catastrophe is around the corner? I think my fear is not so much that I will be poor as that I will not be rich. Really rich. And once again, I'm back in the space of worrying about what you think of me based on my possessions rather than my actions.
Fear that I will not be able to take care of the people I love.

Well, I need to start by wondering why I believe I need to financially support those I love. Might that be about my ego, my need to be the breadwinner? My family might be just fine with everyone working, slowly pursuing their own dreams, without me swooping in like Santa Claus. Again, my ego is driving my fear and my need to succeed.

All of this fear boils down to a lack of faith. I have much evidence that, if I trust, I will be taken care of. In fact, had some of my dreams come true earlier in life, I doubt that I would have been able to handle them.
My need to succeed is all the more ridiculous considering that, in the important areas, I already have.