Home » Emotions » Does Success Hide Behind Our Many Failures?

Does Success Hide Behind Our Many Failures?

· May 18, 2017

The answer to the question in the title is a resounding “yes”. Trying again is a right and a sacred duty that no human being should renounce. He who has had to face great difficulties and failures for many years has two choices as paths. They can choose not to try and let themselves get carried away by the ineluctable inertia of life. On the other hand, they can try again and use their accumulated experience.

Many people have tried again after decades of failures and difficulties. Did you know, for example, that Nelson Mandela spent 30 years in prison before he got out and become the man who changed South Africa’s history?

“Failure doesn’t exist, except when we stop trying.”
–Jean Paul Marat–

But of course, “He was Nelson Mandela and I’m just a common average person,” many would say. But, it’s likely that these people will point out the thousands of reasons this great leader of Africa was successful. They’ll say why they can’t be so as well. They don’t realize that it is precisely this resistance to try that is their biggest obstacle. Their barrier in order to achieve what they set out to do.

It’s true that those achievements of historical and global transcendence required the convergence of diverse circumstances. Yet, it is also true that there are individual achievements which are comparable to these. The simple act of someone reaching their dreams, after enduring long periods of failure, is an invaluable example for the people around them. It is an effort that makes the world in which we all live in a better place.

Trying is even more important than succeeding

A life that is exciting and worth living is one in which you never give up on trying again. Why do we live if not to make the experience a tribute to life itself? Of course, you can float through the world without a single hint of awe or excitement. Nobody forces you to come out of your boredom, to show your bravery, to accept the risk of losing. But let’s be honest: if you don’t, it’s not because you can’t try something better. Ultimately, what’s going on is that fear is controlling you and that’s why you’re refusing to try. Don’t be fooled: it is not fatigue, it is not inability, nor is it a matter of age. Surely, it is fear that is stopping you.

Perhaps you have not realized that attempting to go after what you desire is just as or even more important than actually accomplishing it. That’s the salt of life. What gives flavor to your days, afternoons, and nights. It’s what marks the difference. Feeling satisfied by the simple act of living or trapped in the question of why you are living at all.

The deceitful concept of failure

I looked up the etymology of the word “failure” and found a surprise, which I already intuited. This word comes from the Latin root “quat”, which means “shaken”, and the Italian prefix “fra”, which means “in between”. So, the word failure comes to mean something like “being in the middle of the shake”. What do you think?

If we relate this to the topic at hand, we could say that failure can be viewed as a shock. It is a crossroads to awaken our attention, to wake up to something. Because failure is just that: a finding that draws you out of the mistake and allows you to open your eyes. In fact, its negative connotation was made even more negative when different models started to compare the functioning of the mind with that of a machine.

At some point in history, the word “failure” became a synonym of “defeat”, when it definitely is not. It seems that all of this is only valid in the language of war. It is in that area where even the successes and achievements are sad. Where failures are realities that put your liberty, life and dignity at risk.

In the fertile terrain of human activity, failure, that “shake”, is rather a moment of revelation. That’s how it works in science, art and every positive field of reality. There is practically no human action that doesn’t incorporate the component of failures and another component of success, at the same time. One of the few occasions where failure becomes a hard defeat is in dark moments when we decide to not try one more time.

Interesting Articles

Emotions

Teenage-ism, An “Illness” That Affects Millions of Teenagers Around the World

p>A few months ago, a story went viral about a teenager that asked her mother to write her a note excusing her for being late to class. The mother, probably surprised at first by her nerve, decided to get creative with…

Emotions

In an Emotional Battle, You Chose the Emotion that Wins

An emotional battle is a struggle that goes on within us. In any situation or circumstance in our life, we can reinforce our feelings and focus on feeling anger, envy, jealousy, sadness, arrogance or instead we could feel happiness, peace, love,…

Emotions

The Importance of Showing Your Love

When we say that someone has “come into our lives” it means they have stopped being just any ordinary person and have begun to play an important role by being with us. We get closer to that person and we begin to feel comfortable.…

Emotions

Stars on Our Emotional Journey

Society puts a lot of pressure on us to be in a relationship. It‘s so powerful that many people end up settling for someone who isn’t right for them, just to conform to society’s standards. We’re afraid to be alone, of…

Emotions

5 Keys to Good Emotional Health

When we buy new clothes, change our hairstyle, laugh with our friends, play sports, or practice meditation, our attitude changes. We feel more positive, more inspired and creative. Our emotional health can improve with small things that happen every day…

Emotions

Remember How to Live, Laugh, and Love Like a Child

Many people think adulthood implies that your life is full of responsibilities, anxiety, and doubt. Maybe that’s why some adults want to live like their children when they’re in their forties. Others are so full of doubts and complaints that they drop everything and…

Interesting Articles

Books

Letters to a Young Psychologist by Ignacio Solares

Are you thinking about studying psychology? Do you know someone who’s thinking about it? Would you like to delve into some of the historical events of this science and know how it has progressed? This work by Ignacio Solares collects historical data…

Psychology

Identity and the Ship of Theseus

We tend to think that our identity is unique, that we’re born with it and it always remains the same. However, in reality, our identity is more fragile than that. The ship of Theseus paradox is a great example to…

Curiosities

The Link Between Soda and Aggressiveness in Children

Many parents may find it strange that soda can increase aggressive behavior in their children. Well, as odd as it may seem, science says it’s true. Several studies have demonstrated the link between soda and aggressiveness in children. Experts say…

Emotions

Positive People: The Fuel of Healthy Relationships

Some people fill your heart with the purest joy. They’re people who try to make your life less complicated and always think about your well-being. They’re what we call positive people, who simply make our lives better. These people are…

The content in this publication is presented for informative purposes only. In no sense is this information intended to provide diagnoses or act as a substitute for the work of a qualified professional. For this we recommend that you contact a reliable specialist.