A failure free life

We tend to view life as dualities, an either/or way of interpreting our experiences. You may be rich or poor, employed or unemployed, married or single. You are either a success or a failure. What these situations have in common is that they are defined by external sources. For example, perhaps right now you are not working because you are caring for an ailing parent. When we look at success and failure, they too are defined by what others tell us about events in our lives. I believe that failure is a natural part of life that keeps us focused on our goals. One of the most famous stories of how failure serves us is that of Thomas Edison who was interviewed about his invention of the light bulb. "Young man, why would I feel like a failure? And why would I ever give up? I now know definitively over 9,000 ways that an electric light bulb will not work. Success is almost in my grasp." And shortly after that, with over 10,000 attempts, Edison invented the light bulb. What would our lives be like today if Edison had given up after his first failed attempt? All that you are today is based upon your experiences in life. When you focus only on the failure and not on your ultimate goal, you limit your future. Use your "failures" as a learning tool, just as Edison did. Resolve to look for new ways to approach achieving your goal. Learn to be resilient. Rather than labeling yourself as a failure, tell yourself that you are a success at examining the situation and determining what needs to happen next. You will be freeing yourself from failure to embracing a success filled life. Which best serves your interest and purpose in life today? How have you turned what you considered to be failure into a success?