Begin Again

It’s funny how lessons learned have a way of reappearing months or even years after the original learning.  Last year I participated in a learning activity where the primary lesson was to “begin again”.  I was part of a group that was given a particular objective, and instructions on how to achieve the objective.  The specifics don’t really matter; what does matter is that every time we strayed off course, so to speak, we were required to “begin again”.  The activity seemed simple enough on many levels.  Nevertheless, it took a fair number of attempts, and a fair amount of time.

At first, when we were invited to “begin again”, there was a sense of general fun and goo-natured joviality.  As time went on, however, the words “begin again” started to be met with frustration and despair, particularly as we seemed to get closer to achieving the objective, only to be told “begin again.”

Once the activity was done, objective met and duly celebrated, we all had time to sit with the learning.  Indeed, I have sat with the learning for almost a year now.  And what I know for sure is this:  whenever I fall off course, whenever I make a mistake, whenever I screw things up — no matter how close or far I am to achieving the stated objective — I get to begin again.  Always.  Each and every time.  I can have my moment of frustration, I can even be downright angry.  And then I can begin again.  And eventually, after I’ve begun again often enough, success will be mine.  And the learning gleaned along the way will enrich my life thereafter.

Derailed or Inspired: What’s Your Response to Failure?

Failure.  Whether it’s of grand proportions or small-scale, failure happens to all of us at some time or another.  And generally speaking, failure is not the outcome we’re aiming for whenever we engage in a venture, whatever it may be.  Whether we’re aiming for it or not, however, failure is generally part of the game.  Many of the most sucessful people on the planet will tell you that in order to achieve their successes, they had to travel a path marked with numerous failures.  The key to their success — as well as to yours — lies in their response to those failures.  Which leads me to get really curious:  how do I respond to failure?  And how do you?

For many people, failure is the impetus for becoming derailed.  I’m sure you’ve had at least one time where you’ve allowed this to be your response.  You work really hard for some particular aim, it turns out to elude you, and you give up on the venture altogether.  Not uncommon — and certainly not something I’m wanting to judge you for.  What I do want to do, however, is invite you to ask yourself, how might you allow that same failure to inspire you rather than derail you?  Even if it doesn’t inspire you immediately, what if you could take time to be derailed, and then move into the place of being inspired?  What would be possible then?

I’m willing to bet that the aforementioned “succesful people” all have felt derailed at one point or another.  I assert that what moved them forward to eventual success is the fact that theymoved from derailed to inspired at some point.  They took a look at “what went wrong” and tried to find what could “go right”.  Here’s what I want you to consider:  failure is not something to be ashamed of, or even something to avoid.  There is huge opportunity in failure, if you’re willing to find it.  Within that opportunity lies inspiration to keep moving forward.  And that inspiration, when you allow yourself to see it, is what will move you to your eventual success.

Standing on the Brink

“The brink of what?” you might ask.  To which I say, “the brink of success”.  I’m feeling called to write about this today, as I feel myself feeling on the brink another level of success.  It’s the nature of life:  we tend to move from success to success (or if the word “success” feels too strong for you, then use “event” — that’s broad and general enough I should think).  The inherent challenge in this movement is that, as we get closer to our goal, there can be a weariness of sorts that sets in, even as you feel a simultaneous adrenaline rush that arises out of the awareness of how close you are.  Do you know what I’m talking about?  Let me give you a concrete example:

You’re running a race.  A long race.  You’re nearing the finish line.  You can see it — it’s totally within your grasp, and you’re tired as hell.  Every fibre of your being wants you to stop – but there’s a louder something within you that pushes you to put on a last burst of energy and surge forward.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t, but you do cross that line.  And you gain a sense of accomplishment as a result.  But what would happen if you gave in to the voice of fatigue?  You wouldn’t reach your goal, and you’d miss it by a mere number of feet.  So close, and yet so far.

For so many people, this sense of being so close and yet so far is the norm.  The closer you get to your goal, the louder the voices of fear, doubt, fatigue, etc; become.  The question for you to hold is, will you reach down deep and access the voice of encouragement, of inner wisdom, of championing to pull you (or push you) over the brink?  Because the brink is really that point of no return – the imaginary line which, if you can just reach it and step over it, separates you from the life you know, and the life you’re creating.  When you’re standing on the brink, you absolutely could turn back.  And, unless  you step over, the next level of success will elude you.

It’s Never Too Late

One of the things I love to do – particularly when I’m feeling somewhat “stuck” or in need of inspiration, is to check out YouTube videos.  Have you ever done it?  There’s a whole myriad of inspiration to be found, especially on the Britain’s Got Talent show.  The latest one I just watched this morning, and it shows 47 year old Susan Boyle claiming her dream for herself.  It’s amazing to watch.

Here’s this woman – a rather common-looking, middle-aged woman – going after her dream with a relative confidence and cheekiness.  At the beginning, you can see that the judges and audience are less than impressed.  Skeptical would be the best word in my opinion.  And despite this, Susan Boyle clearly states what she’s going for, without hesitation, and then “wham!” – she blows the whole audience away!

As I watched – and I know I’ll watch it again – I was struck by her sassiness, her confidence, her self-belief, her determination.  It would have been really easy (I think) for her to say things like, “I’m too old”, “I missed my chance”, “It’s just a dream”, etc;.  But for some reason she didn’t.  And the result speaks for itself.

I have no idea how this woman’s dream will turn out from here.  I guess I’ll keep an eye out and see.  What I do know is this:  thanks to Susan Boyle, I will hold on to the idea that it really is never too late.  I can pursue my dreams for as long as I want and am willing.  Combine this with my unshakeable belief that the universe wants me to experience success on my terms as much as I do, and dreams are bound to come true.  I’ll just keep moving forward.