Decide to Embrace Failure

In a poem by T. H. Palmer, the writer beckons, "Tis a lesson you should need, If at first you don't succeed, Try, try again;  Then your courage should appear, for it you will persevere, You will conquer never fear.  Try, try again."

In the business of writing and publishing, rejections come in bunches.  Once I won an award at our writers' group for having the most rejections (200).  My  husband only encourages, you can paper your writing studio with them. 

But rejections hurt, discourage, and can become personal.  The editors don't want that beautiful essay and won't publish your delightful humor column.  When I feel like trashing the whole writing gig, I remember a comment by a friend, "No doesn't mean never."

Editors may not want my scribblings now, but in future perhaps these same individuals will be asking for a guest editorial or article.  Keep your chin up.  Decide to embrace failure.  Try.  Try again.

Ignoring Failure

If you were raised in a home with perfectionists as I was, failure is the absolute be-all and end-all most humiliating experince you could experience.  Bad grades were a reflection on the family.  Behavior was to be on the utmost par.  Nothing could spot a perfect record at school or in the neighborhood.  "Be a lady" is the southern matra heard from the hospital nursery to the nursing home.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but somewhat crippling if you fail in any realm of your life.

And you will fail.  Failing isn't fatal.  Failing can be the stepping stone to the next big thing.  And failing doesn't mean you will never attain the goal.  You may have to be more patient, wait a little longer, take another creative route, or take a detour.  The main thing is that you keep on!  Ignore what doesn't work along with unwanted comments.  Concentrate on the goal and you will get there.

Anger and Guilt

Ever let someone push you over the edge?  So much that your anger flairs?  The old saying, "He who angers you conquers you" is true.  Once your self control goes, then it is only a short hop to saying and doing regrettable things.

And no amount of apologies erase words say in haste and in the heat of the moment.  "I'm sorry" no matter how heartfelt never eradicates the memory and the nagging feeling that in the backlash, there just might be a grain of truth.

And there you have the decision cycle that changes your life and invites GUILT into your heart.  Resist the urge to take the easy route.  Rise above criticism and failure.  You have a higher calling.

Motivation to Serve

Guilt is a huge motivator.  It can make us volunteer, do penance, teach a class, and otherwise burn our candle at both ends - all without emotions, empathy, or concern.  Guilt compares us to others and brings up conversations from naysayers.  Guilt reminds you of your failures and confuses your motives with "oughts."  Satan uses many tricks in his bag to get us to serve, but the only motive that satisfies is the one Jesus gave to love and serve as He did.