It is true that no matter what height of success we have scaled in our career or elsewhere, we are a failure if we have some regrets and our house is not a home.

In spite of Anne Murray’s remarkable success, she has many regrets. The foremost of which, is that, she did not take enough time for herself and her family. However, although she wishes that she had the courage and strength to put her family above her career earlier, she decided to make amends and  tried to take charge of her life.

Let's learn from the following article inspired by the writings of Michael Posner about Anne’s memoir, ‘All of Me’ and featured in Aol.com.

When Anne Murray broke through with her hit song, 'Snowbird,' in 1970, she had no idea of the kind of success that it would bring her. Anne reveals the journey that took the small-town girl from Springhill, Nova Scotia, to cities around the world, in her new autobiography, 'All of Me.'

Anne, the only girl in a family of five boys, grew up a tomboy who had no problem in the rough and tumble world of her siblings. No doubt that upbringing prepared her for the climb to the top in the world of music -- a climb that while seemingly happened overnight, was really a road filled with frustration before the singer was able to take charge of her career.

While Anne's true love was always music, she worked on various television shows during summers in between her college courses. After graduation she taught high school until she was offered a permanent job with 'Sing-along Jubilee,' a national television show based out of Halifax. Soon thereafter, Anne made her first album with producer Brian Ahern, who went on to work with her on the next ten projects.

The singer, who went on to sell 54 million records, wavered between pop and country, placing songs at the top of both charts. The Canadian singer is quite forthcoming about different topics in her autobiography, as well, including her affair with a married man, the stars who hit on her after she was a celebrity, and the learning curve she went through while she tried to gain control of her career. She also talks about her marriage and what brought it to a close, the time spent on the road away from her children and how she dealt with her daughter's battle with anorexia.

"I was swept up like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and catapulted into a strange new universe," writes Anne. "I was lonely and tired. My privacy was constantly being invaded. I was in love with a married man whom I seldom saw. I was touring with a group of musicians who at any moment were at risk of being arrested. What I wanted most was to stop and go home, but it wasn't possible. I had commitments and obligations as far as the eye could see."

Once the hits started, the climb didn't get easier. Anne had to deal with a band that abused alcohol and drugs and her own stage fright; a stalker who stayed round for almost 20 years; and the death of her manager and best friend.

She talks about the people who helped her along the way, like Glen Campbell, along with other celebrities she met including presidents, kings and queens, plus big names in entertainment like Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, John Lennon, Kenny Rogers and Perry Como.

Anne presents a very honest look at her career and her private life in this book. In looking back over her life, Anne says, "If I regret anything, it's that I didn't take enough time for myself and my family. Having to leave my children crying at the door as I flew off made me miserable."

After the release of her 'Duets: Friends and Legends' album, which featured a who's who of performers including Martina McBride, Emmylou Harris, Celine Dion and Sarah Brightman, Anne made the decision to retire. "After being on tour for most of my adult life, the time was right to stop and reflect," she explains. "The years pass so quickly when you're on the road, and besides," she adds with a chuckle, "I thought it was important to do this memoir, while I can still remember things!"

The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it. -John Ruskin

 
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To those who look up to our encouragement, to those who need us at their side, never lose an opportunity to bring sunshine into their lives. A few encouraging words could make a hug difference in someone’s life.

 

 

Tim