I was an impressionable age when the stunningly beautiful Lady Diana Spencer became engaged to and later wed Prince Charles in 1981. Like 750 million others around the world, I sat glued to my television set to watch their wedding. Who could resist such a romanticized fairy tale that included a gorgeous princess, a dashing prince, glass carriages, a 25 foot wedding dress train, and crown jewels.

I know I wasn’t the only one.

I was so obsessed that my parents and I braved the crowds to catch a glimpse of the royal couple during an official visit to Canada in 1983. Their itinerary included the seaside village of Saint Andrews, New Brunswick and my Dad and I had front row seats as the Princess did a walkabout. Somehow he managed to shake Diana’s hand while simultaneously capturing the photo below. I was even more captivated by her beauty and I think my Dad was too.

The couple welcomed Prince William the year before and Prince Harry arrived in 1984. They embarked on many global tours during the course of their marriage but cracks in their relationship began to show.

The marriage, like so many others, ended in divorce in 1996.

Just when it seemed like Diana was forging a new beginning (who can forget the black revenge dress), her life was tragically cut short in a car accident in Paris in 1997.

The media were predatory then, just as they had been throughout her time as a royal.

Public opinion of Diana remains mixed even after her death. Some viewed her as manipulative and conniving while others saw her as a victim of the establishment.

Her brother, Charles Spencer’s recently released book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister written in advance of the 30^th anniversary of her death offers a personal look at her childhood, her marriage, the public and private Diana and the events surrounding her death.

I remember Diana for her impeccable style, grace and philanthropy.  She was perfectly imperfect but she used her stature to raise global awareness for stigmatized diseases, vulnerable populations, and humanitarian crises.

Some of her major causes were HIV/AIDS, landmine bans, homelessness, mental illness and leprosy, children and cancer support. 

That’s what I admire most about Princess Diana.

Lately, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to success.

Most of us will never be royalty but we aspire to our own version of greatness. 

What does that look like for you?

Fame?

A six-digit salary?

Numerous letters behind your name?

A fancy title?

A huge house or a luxury car?

1 million followers on social media?

It’s easy to follow the pack.

It takes courage to be true to oneself in a world that values conformity.

The world is full of people so driven to succeed that they will throw people (and the planet) under the bus. All to make more money, get the fancier title or climb the proverbial ladder.

I would love the opportunity to ask … are they happier when they “arrive”?

For most of my career, I did what society told me I should do. I got the education, many letters behind my name, and I followed the money. The world may tell me I was successful, but I lost myself and severely burned out.

So, what does success mean to me now?

It’s about maintaining peace in a chaotic world.

It’s about finding joy in simple moments.

It’s about living with purpose.

It’s about creative expression and creating for the simple pleasure of it whether that’s cooking, crafting, or writing.

It’s about striving to be the best version of myself every day.

It’s about making a difference in this oft cruel world and leaving it a better place than I found it.

And when I’m gone, I want people to know without a doubt, I was human, I wasn’t perfect but I gave it my very best.

Were you a Princess Diana fan too?

Have you read Charles Spencer’s book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister yet?

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