Failure is a Dirty Word

Western culture has a glaring aversion to failure (magnified in the age of social media, but that is a story for another day). Most people avoid opportunities, trying new things, taking chances, or chasing dreams in an attempt to escape the dreaded failure. But what does it mean to fail, exactly?

Failure is not the end of the story, as many imagine or as our culture often leads us to believe. When seen from a different perspective, our failures are great teachers, opening the door to new ways of thinking about a challenge or problem, or even the first step to mastery. A master is simply someone who has failed more times than the rest of us have tried.

Like it or not, error is an aspect of being human; we learn through attempts and mistakes. Often the lessons that stick with us and are the most useful in life are those in which we took a great fall to earn. You know what is admirable? Perseverance. Perseverance despite the odds, the hardships, and the inevitable failures along the way.

So many want safety and certainty; we avoid disappointments at the expense of opportunities and endless potential in life. How can you know what is possible if you don't try, what great adventures and successes are available if given a chance? As my children grow older, I will say to them…

Darling... be daring, be bold; release the fear of failure and embrace the unknown.

That choice between perceived safety and bold risk has presented itself many times in my life and in cycles. In recent years, these choices come along regularly, and I am reminded that the more you have faith, the more doors open and life comes in. More recently, a new idea and an opportunity came knocking; while reflecting on my options I heard this wisdom from Alan Watts, "To live, I must have faith. I must trust myself to the totally unknown." New adventures it is then; and with faith I cannot fail.

May you also choose faith over fear... and Darling, be bold.