Sunday, July 12, 2009

A COMPANION TO FAILURE

What is failure? Is it a classified by earnings, education, gender, race, accolades, degrees? If you don't have a lot of some of the things I mentioned are you a failure? If you're overqualified are you a failure? Who and what determines your level of success or failures?
Failure n. 1) act of failing 2) one that fails
Well, call me crazy but that doesn't say that since I'm 26 years old and unemployed, I'm a failure. It also doesn't states that since I decided to follow my dreams and not be lead by my degree, I'm a failure. 
Fail v. 1) fall short 2) weaken 3) become bankrupt 4) not succeed 5) neglect 6) not pass a test or course.
OK, going by this definition I have failed! I fail short, when I chose to stop listening to the voice inside of me. I became weaken, when I allowed the expectations of others to dictate my life. I became bankrupt in spirit, in hope and in truth, when I lost sight of my goals and stopped using the gifts that GOD gave me. I didn't succeed in managing my money wisely. I neglected myself and others many times in my life. I didn't pass plenty of lifes' test but as long as I have the breath of life, I didn't fail the course. I believe failure is humbling. It gets you motivated and back on course. I also believe that failure is not the opposite of success but rather a component of it. When I was fired from my cushy job with all of its lavish perks, many people deemed that to be a failure on my end. However, it was the component of my success. During this time off I have written a book, started a blog, fell in love, visited friends I haven't seen in years, gained weight and lost weight, learned a great deal about myself and became one with the Most High. My failures are the stepping stones to my success. I will not complain about my life, my living situation or my career. Or lack thereof. I will proclaim the marvels of life, the simplicity of laughter, the joy of family, the bond of friendship and the success in finding my way. I had an interview for a job in Florida the other day and I also applied for a teaching fellowship in DC. These are the only two jobs, that I have been excited about in a long time. If by some twist of fate I don't get them, I know that this won't be a failure, rather than a component of future success.

"PEOPLE FEAR FAILURE MORE THAN DEATH. BUT THE THING ABOUT FAILURE IS THAT YOU CAN TRY OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HOWEVER, WITH DEATH THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES. MORAL OF THE STORY IS DON’T FEAR SOMETHING THAT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY AGAIN *(DEATH DOES NOT). LIFE GIVES AN ENDLESS AMOUNT OF CHANCES, EVEN IF PEOPLE DON’T, PEOPLE CAN’T LIVE YOUR LIFE ONLY YOU CAN. FAILURE IS AN OPTION, FEAR IS NOT. BE ON PURPOSE 2DAY" Ce'era Horton

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Failure was my biggest fear for many years. It was the greatest fear that drove me to success in college. Now it is the greatest fear that keeps me from opening my heart up to people. I know you were speaking of other things in this post, but failure reaches across many aspects. Failure can work for or against the forces. "Its a gift and a curse." Well put Dee!