Did you ever hear the saying that bravery does not mean the absence of fear, but rather doing something despite being afraid? I think I must be one of the bravest people I know because I am afraid of everything-but I am learning to do things anyway and have been quite astounded at how much I have been able to accomplish so far.
Well, something happened to me over the weekend that sort of threw me. The specifics aren't important, but it made me think. I have a sheet of paper posted at my desk at work with an inspirational message I printed out some time ago that really helps me to keep things in perspective (see below for the words and a link). It is about the importance of reminding ourselves to put failure behind us so that we can move ahead. I didn't fail (this time!) but it is hard for me to be willing to look bad in the eyes of others. Success can result in this as well as failure. Sometimes no matter what you do, certain people will not like you. I am just going to continue doing the best I can and hope for the best.
Anyway, here is the message:
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS EVER
By Steve Goodier
We ALL fail!
And I’m not talking about your latest baking disaster or losing a game of “Scrabble”. We fail in some important areas. We may fail at a significant relationship. We may fail at a job. We may fail at doing something we are convinced we were always meant to do! We all fail. And sometimes we fail in pretty spectacular ways.
Baseball player Lou Brock said something important about failure. Brock once held the record for stolen bases. He was about 35 years old at the time and his days as a professional player were winding down. Brock was talking about why he successfully stole more bases than younger, faster players.
“When you start out in baseball,” Brock said, “you’re young and you have the speed and reflexes. However, when you try to steal second base and you get thrown out, it’s a long walk back to the dugout with 40,000 fans watching you. When you reach my age, you come to understand that records are not set by being the quickest, but by the willingness to look bad in the eyes of others.”
When Brock became willing to look bad in the eyes of 40,000 fans, he broke the chains of fear and experienced true freedom. (He probably also played better!) He learned how to do ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS EVER: he learned how to put failure behind him.
Unless we learn how to put failure behind us:
• We will never ask for what we need for fear of rejection.
• We will never ask a boss for a promotion for fear of her saying no.
• We will never go back and take classes for fear of failing.
• We will never change careers for fear of it not working out.
• We will never forgive others who hurt us for fear of being hurt by them again.
• We won’t do the things we want to do for fear of letting ourselves and others down.
Unless we learn how to put failure behind us, we won’t take any risk at all! And we’ll never fully live, either.
The Bible talks about forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Learn to put your failures behind you and you can go places you never dreamed possible.
Steve Goodier books and newsletter: http://lifesupportsystem.com
Click here for a link to his website and to sign up for the Life Support newsletter.
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4 comments:
Hmm. This message is so true and as with most things, something that we don't tend to look at in that light. Instead of moving forward we look back. I myself am definitely guilty of that one. Thanks for that message. It hit me at a time when I needed it. Crazy how things work that way.
You are one of the "bravest" people I know. You have truly stepped out of "your box" and accomplished so much. You don't give yourself enough credit. I respect and admire all that you have done and will do in your research. You are an incredibly caring person, as well. So continue to look forward but be proud of your past.
Thanks for the nice comments. There is always room for improvement, but I am just doing the best I can :)
You really came out of your shell when you moved to Michigan and took advantage of your college opportunities. You have accomplished so much to be proud of. You've come a LONG WAY BABY and we are proud of you.
I really find it VERY hard to forgive people who have hurt me so deeply. I try to forgive THEM but it is VERY VERY hard to FORGET the unkind words they have imbedded in my mind. I keep TRYING but the thoughts are always there.
LOVE---MOM
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