Chapter 21
The Newport Archery Match
The small bright lawn stretched away smoothly to the big bright sea. The turf was hemmed with an edge of scarlet geranium and coleus, and cast-iron vases painted in chocolate colour, standing at intervals along the winding path that led to the sea, looped their garlands of petunia and ivy geranium above the neatly raked gravel. Half way between the edge of the cliff and the square wooden house (which was also chocolate-coloured, but with the tin roof of the verandah striped in yellow and brown to represent an awning) two large targets had been placed against a background of…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
The Success Audit
List three things in your life that look like 'success' to others - your job, relationship, living situation, etc. For each one, write down whose approval you were seeking when you chose it and how it actually makes you feel day-to-day. Then identify one small change you could make in each area to align it more with your authentic desires rather than external expectations.
Consider:
- •Be honest about whose voices you hear when making decisions
- •Notice the difference between what drains you versus what energizes you
- •Consider that disappointing others might be necessary for your own growth
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you achieved something that looked perfect from the outside but left you feeling empty. What were you really seeking, and what would genuine success look like for you now?
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