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The Art of Failure
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The Art of Failure |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States 
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The Art of Failure By Larry Chadwick Who decided failure was something that we should be depressed about? I would really like to have a talk with that loser. It seems like a reasonable conclusion that he had a learning disability. How likely is it that he never experienced success? All of us are aware of numerous stories of failures that made people wealthy. There were sticky notes made from a product failure and even WD-40. Apparently this guy either never tried again after failure or he just failed entirely at everything. I remember my first attempt at love. How was I to know what puppy love was? I mean really. It was impossible not to tell Connie how much in love with her I was. The fact that I was fourteen and she was fifteen did not seem insurmountable to me. But it must have been for her. There was never any consideration that I was not likeable. Based on our loser's theory I should have given up on love right then. Yeah right. Not me. It took me ten years and six tries at Freshman English but I finally finished college. Everyone around me told me repeatedly that I would never finish. Not even my professor thought I would graduate. Odd that I never questioned my chance at a diploma. Each time I ran out of money I went back to work at the factory I hated. Then I would be the brunt of a new barrage of “you’re a quitter”. Nobody could connect my returning to a place I hated to my own motivational tactic. I reasoned that I would be so miserable college would seem an attractive “out”. I was recognized by the baccalaureate speaker for my determination. Honesty about failure compels me to acknowledge my first marriage of sixteen years. In spite of my commitment to one marriage, one partner I found that one person could not do the work for two. If ever a failure entitled somebody to some depression a failed marriage would be the moment. And many have renewed their vows after the failure of a marriage. Vows to celibacy or at least to remaining single. But that just conforms to our loser’s theory about failure. The real issue is whether or not we face ourselves and accept our contribution to the failure and empower one’s self to personal growth that might lead to a life time relationship. Now it is an obvious fact that none of my failures have made me rich. The truth is none of my successes has made me rich either. So I suppose by our loser’s standards I am a failure no matter how you look at it. The good news is that success and failure never were about money in the first place. I know, that is enough to offend Donald Trump. But it is not just his hair I don’t like, honest. My failures have been my best opportunities to learn. My failures have been my best opportunity for growth. My failures have contributed most to my successes. But mostly my failures have been an integral part of making me the person I am now. So I reflect again on that age old question, “If you could live your life over, what would you change?” Probably, for those who are aware of my life as a package, my response is frightening. But I think I will stand by my answer. Nothing. October 20, 2005 If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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| © Copyright 2005 Larry Chadwick - All Rights Reserved | |||
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
sighing...so wise are you~~  M |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Larry I have had some of the same "failures" as you have and I agree with you 100%. Thanks for this outlook, as it made me feel quite successful, like you are!! |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
At least you are writing about something you definitely know!  |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Thanks M. Probably wouldn't survive on the Apprentice though.  You are incredibily successful. Wow Martie, that's very kind! And thank you. Michael! Thanks. Ya' know if it weren't for our friends being humble would be really hard. LOL If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
 well said! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
It was the very last paragraph and the very last sentence that spoke to your character and that of all you've given. And don't kid yourself, when 'Deer is moved enough to leave a comment, he was moved well, indeed... |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Hi Larry: I really enjoyed this piece. It's too bad more people don't have the same outlook you do! Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Michael, Hope you've kept your head down for this hurricane season 'cause I'd really miss bein' picked on if you weren't here. Karilea, I figure any time 'deer has a movement it's a relief!  And thank you kind lady for your faithful encouragement.Thank you Betty Lou. Peace. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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