Is failure really failing?

Is failure really failing? It's safe to say, we all hate the idea of failure. We all want people to like us. We all want to be our best. We all want to do our best. Some strive to be the best of the best. It seems as if we all work to avoid failing because it can be scary. It's an uncomfortable feeling knowing you didn't succeed at something/knowing you may have failed at something. Sometimes we fail once. Sometimes twice. Sometimes countless times. I think it's important to note that failure is a very large aspect of growing; a crucial one in fact. Without failure, without discomfort, are you really progressing? Are you learning? Growing? Becoming a better you? A better person in general?

Failure is a blessing in disguise most often. The older I grow, the more I recognize this. The more I have come to accept times of failure, the more I have come to appreciate the learning experiences and growth they bring. Don't get me wrong, it's NOT always easy. No one likes to say they didn't succeed at something, especially something you may have initially felt confident in.

The truth of it all is that, we can't control the outcome of things. We can prepare. We can plan. We can do every little thing to set ourselves up "perfectly" and we won't always come out on top. How can we prepare and do everything right but still fall short? Sometimes theres better candidates. Sometimes the timings off. Sometimes morals and values don't match up. Sometimes we think that's whats best, but it's not what the higher power or universe has in store for us. You simply can't control every outcome. Your plan isn't always the right plan. The path you have laid out for yourself isn't always the best path.

Just because you came up short doesn't mean you failed. That moment of failure or discouragement is also encouragement to move forward, a learning tool to find what is going to work best for you and create the best you in the long term.

We all want to feel good NOW. We want to make ourselves successful NOW. As individuals in todays society we have a lack of patience, a desire for more, and the inability to live for the present. It's the society we've been brought up in. We lose sight of things that aid in our happiness. We lose sight of the moments  and memories we are given each day. We lose sight of our own growth and miss out on learning opportunities because we are so scared to fail, to make mistakes, and to ruin the "plan" we have created for ourselves. Short term gratification < long term happiness and fulfillment.

Let me tell you what matters. Let me tell you what will pay off in the long run.

Hard work. 

Determination.

Self discipline.

Letting down your ego & your guard.

Asking for help when needed.

Not trying to do everything on your own.

Communication.

Consistency.

Patience.

Work ethic.

Positivity.

Self belief.

You can't expect perfection. You can't expect to know everything. You can't expect to do everything correctly 100% of the time. We are all human. We are all imperfect. We all carry baggage. We all have our strengths and we all have our weaknesses. It's not a one size fits all. You are not failing or a failure because something(s) didn't work out according to plan or in your favor. They won't always work out on your terms or on your time.

Move forward. Know that your time is coming. Failure breaks us down only to build us back up; stronger than ever. Your purpose is out there. Failing at something doesn't determine your worth, it doesn't make you any less of a person, and it doesn't determine your future success. You will fail countless times in your lifetime just as you will succeed countless times. Without failure, you would not appreciate your success's. Without discouragement you wouldn't grow to your fullest capacity.

We all must experience failure in order to navigate our way to success. Is failure really failing? No. Failure is growing. Failure is working your way up the ladder of success. Failure is an opportunity to learn from your past mistakes and to mold yourself into who you want to be. It crosses "do's and don'ts" off your list. It sheds light on your strengths and weaknesses in order to improve. It gives you the strength to overcome all obstacles and shows you what you are really made of.

We are never given challenges and obstacles we can't handle. Failure is never failing. Failure is growing. You are growing, my friend. Remember that.

Until next time, 

-Mik