Instructors and teachers are wonderful. I have fond memories of my favorites, and can’t even remember the names of the ones who weren’t. But over time, we forget. Unless we put into practice what we’ve learned, the lessons fade; the voices become less audible.
Let’s face it. As miserable as failure is, it’s the hard knocks of experience that teach us the painful life lessons we need to learn. Most of them come when we’re children. I remember well my favorite pair of shoes. They were shiny black patent leather that I wore only to church and on special occasions.
Never put your coffee next to your turp! |
One spring we were celebrating
Easter at my aunt’s farm. All the cousins were there; the girls dressed up in
ruffles and sashes, and the boys in white shirts and dark trousers. While
dinner was cooking in the kitchen, the children were sent outdoors for an Easter
egg hunt. My uncle had hidden the eggs in an adjacent pasture.
We carried our baskets into
the field with our eyes peeled for color. My cousin, Dale, found the first egg
and cracked it on his head to show off. He peeled it on the spot and swallowed
it whole. My older sister shouted a warning to us about cow pies. Dale blew her
off as he proceeded to stomp on a crusty pie.
I followed his lead. It was
great fun hearing a cow pie crunch and collapse beneath my feet. My sister’s
warning was forgotten as my confidence and power grew. I found another pie that
looked ripe for the crunching. I lifted my patent leather shoe and slammed down
in the middle of it. Shock and awe left me speechless. My shiny patent leather
shoe and white ruffled stocking were covered with warm, steamy cow dung.
Don't "touch up" a painting before going out! |
Bawling and blubbering, I
ran across the field, not caring whether I found any Easter eggs or not. My
mother pulled back as she pushed my reeking shoe and stocking from my foot. The
smell was overwhelming. My new shoes were ruined.
Did I ever step in a cow pie again? Never! Did
I have new found respect for my older sister’s advice? Yes! Did I ever make the
same mistake again? No!
Why is it when we grow into
adults we forget these lessons of the past? Why do we get so discouraged and
think the world is coming to an end when we fail? It is not! Like children, we
must pick ourselves up, clean off our shoes, and begin again.
Life is all about starting
over. It’s about new beginnings. Every day we wake up to a fresh start and new
opportunities. Life is never over “’til the fat lady sings,” and none of us
knows when that moment will come. Make the most of each day!
I have found that every failure contains within it all the elements required to succeed that next time I try. That's why I choose to view failures as stepping stones to success.
ReplyDeleteI love your wise conclusion.
And life has taught you also, because you've kept a positive attitude. The ones who wallow in bitterness are the ones who fail. Maybe we can reach out a helping hand and lift someone else up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments!