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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>If you haven't taken notice of your own successes heading into 2023, then<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>this is the post for you! Here are 20 signs you're successful even if you're<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>not feeling' it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>1. You are not afraid to ask for help anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>I doubt many people have ever succeeded in isolation. Sometimes it takes a<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>team effort to accomplish tasks and there is nothing wrong with that. Asking<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>for help does not mean you are weak, it is a sign of strength and shows that<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>you have grown as a person.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>2. You say "yes" to new opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>New opportunities don't come around every day, but when they do - you say<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>"yes:". Maybe you have no idea what you're getting into, yet you go for<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>it. Successful people take those leaps because they know one good<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>opportunity can lead to bigger and better ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>3. You have raised your standards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>You don't tolerate bad behavior from other people. You hold people<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>accountable for their actions. You don't spend time with the "Debbie<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Downers", "Angry Andy’s", Nasty Nellies", or F'd up Freddy’s" in your life<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>anymore. Successful people have no tolerance for them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>4. You let go of things that don't serve you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>No, this is not narcissistic even though it might seem like it. Self-love<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>and self-respect is a success. Love yourself enough to say 'no' to anything<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>that doesn't work for you, serve your purpose, or drags you down. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>5. You don't seek praise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>If you aren't hanging around waiting to get the proverbial pat on the back<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>at work or at home, you are more successful than you might even know. Being<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>able to do your part without constant praise or a thousand "At-a-boys" is an<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>internal success. If you choose to wait around for others to tell you have<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>great you are, you may be waiting a long time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>6. You have learned that failure is a part of personal growth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Failure can be the point needed to succeed. You need to hit the bottom<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>before you can reach the top. Being able to crawl back from failure and try<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>and try again, is a sign you are successful. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>7. You have a support system that includes people who would do anything for<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>If you have figured out the people who "have your back" and recognized the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>ones who don't, then you can add this to your list of successes. This is a<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>painful realization, but once you learn to see the signs of betrayal and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>smell the bullshit, you can stay away from those people. They do not deserve<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>a place in your tribe.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>8. You don't complain much.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Because you know there really is nothing to complain about. Unless you have<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>gone through a debilitating diagnosis, unimaginable loss, or a traumatic<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>experience, most of what we all go through on a day-to-day basis is just the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>small stuff. Successful people don't sweat the small stuff and strive to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>live in a space of gratitude.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>9. You can celebrate others' successes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Just because other people succeed, that doesn't make you a failure. Applaud<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>the people who rise to the top. The more positive energy you give to other<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>people's victories, the more positive energy you will create for yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Jealousy has no place in success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>10. You are driven. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Anybody without an engine and a willingness to get through the hard times<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>and the difficulties will struggle to succeed. If you don't mind rolling up<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>your sleeves and getting down and dirty, you are better off than you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>think.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>11. You have things you look forward to.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>If you don't have some cool things going on or planned out in your life, in<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>which you are eagerly anticipating, then that little pep in your step may<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>soon fade. Successful people create activities, goals, and plans that they<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>are excited about. They let this excitement fuel their spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>12. You wish to help others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Giving is a gift you give yourself. If you are able to provide people with<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>guidance, compassion, and act as a pillar of support when they need it,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>success is in your corner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>13. You offer mutual respect.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Success tends to come from your own experiences in life, including going<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>through stresses and difficulties. If you understand the value of treating<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>others with respect, you already have a grasp on a bit of success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>14. You love deeply and open yourself up to be loved by others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Love is risky and sometimes scary for people. It's the one thing we all<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>strive for, but it's also intimately tied to the one thing we fear the most<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>- rejection. If you open your heart enough to love and be loved, without<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>fear, you have a heart full of passionate success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>15. You refuse to be a victim.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>You know that life doesn't always happen to you. Many times, you are the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>co-creator of your life experiences and outcomes. Successful people know<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>this and refuse to be kept down by life's bad days or play the "victim<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>card". No. They rise up and carry on.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>16. You don't care what other people think of you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Successful people know they can't please everyone. You know that the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>standards with which society judges people can be unrealistic. So, you just<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>keep true to yourself and love the person you are.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>17. You learn from negative experiences. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Life can be full of regrets and dismay - and some choose to hang onto them<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>in a negative way. Successful people convert what happened (or didn't<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>happen) into learning opportunities. No negative experience is ever wasted<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>as long as you learn from it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>18. You are assertive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>You understand that simply saying yes or no is not enough. Explaining your<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>reasons in a clear manner are essential for others to understand that you are<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>an individual with your own thoughts and boundaries. This does not mean<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>being inflexible, but while being understanding, successful people still<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>stand their ground. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>19. You practice patience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Patience is a virtue that successful people practice on a daily basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Without patience, it can be hard to ever make the type of impact or<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>influence you want to have in the world. It also takes patience to learn new<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>things as needed to keep up with your professional or personal path.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Successful people know that obtaining new habits, new skills, or, umm,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>losing those pesky extra pounds, doesn't happen overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>20. You are happy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>This may be the ultimate success. It doesn't matter what the balance is in<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>your bank account, how big your house is, or how many luxurious vacations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>you take. If you are happy, then you are succeeding in life. And, life is<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>too short not to be happy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Even if you don't see yourself in many of these 20 things, don't fret. It's<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>okay. Be happy that you see yourself in just a few of them. In time, the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>rest will come. Keep moving onward and upward - taking note of success when<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>you create it<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:dotted windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>This is an excerpt from the blog "Girl Gone Blind".<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> From a few years ago. I just happened it and wanted to share it with all of you. Let’s make 2023 the best year ever!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Warmly, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span>Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>617-600-8130<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="nfbma.org">Visit NFB MA Website for more information</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="nfb.org">Visit the NFB website for more info</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-of-the-Blind-of-Massachusetts-1593379944322253">Visit us on Facebook</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>“</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#01893E'>You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.</span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>”</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>