When Did Failure Become Fatal?

Nobody wants to be considered a failure -- including you and me. So, is there a difference between failing and being a failure? Absolutely! The only way I know to truly become a failure is to quit at something you once considered worthy of pursuit. That is the only point that failure becomes final. As long as you continue to persevere, there is always a chance at success. So, if that is the case, why do we fear failing? Why is it that we think it is a word that should be stricken from our vocabulary? Hasn't always been that way.

When we were young, we naturally understood that failing at a task was really just part of the learning and growth cycle. Not many of us jumped on a bicycle and took off down the road with a perfect sense of control. I know I didn't -- and I had the scrapes and bruises to prove it. But, after finding several ways that a bicycle would not remain in an upright position, we found the right balance and the right feel, and off we went. We found a whole new freedom, and the pain and frustration of learning and doing soon disappeared. So what happened?

Somehow, when we grew up and became a little more "sophisticated", the idea of failure became totally repulsive and down-right unacceptable. Somehow our self-awareness changed and we found that making excuses and stopping the pursuit brought a certain amount of relief. But, it also brought regret, and in the very best case, we discovered that we merely settled for less.  Maybe several times. Sad isn't it?


Perhaps Winston Churchill said it best. "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." We must ask ourselves whether we have the courage to fail and fail on a daily basis. Can we endure the temporary discomfort that comes from the tension in the gap between what we want and the path to getting it? We can and we must -- if we are to do anything of true and lasting value.

So let's get back up on that bike and find a little wisdom and understanding in discovering the 1,001 ways a bicycle will not stay upright. But let's also rediscover the joy of finding the one method that sets us free to ride wherever our heart desires. Enjoy the journey!