We've all heard the saying "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." While this quote is inspirational and it encourages one to keep trying even when they fall short, it also doesn't speak to what the stars have to offer. You landed in the stars for goodness sake; that's amazing! How and why is that considered a "miss" or falling short? While the moon is great and all--believe me, I'm not hating on the moon, I have a moon glow-in-the-dark shirt--there is so much more out there than just the moon. If you are in the stars, take advantage of that opportunity to learn everything you can about them: how they work, what they do, and so much more. Once you learn about the stars, keep shooting; shoot past the stars, try again for the moon, heck, try for another planet. Your first shot wasn't a failure of not reaching the moon; rather, it was a different opportunity for success.
Okay, so in all actuality, none of us are really going to be shooting for the moon thanks to cuts to the NASA program, but we are all continuing to dream. Whether these dreams are ones from our childhood, about our future job, or even dreaming of the next time you get to see your favorite person, dreams are opportunities to succeed and opportunities to fail.
"Opportunities to fail." Yep, you read that correctly. Failure, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is a "lack of success" or "falling short." True, you did not achieve your ultimate goal whatever that may be. However, you did land somewhere, whether that's just short of the goal or far from it. In either situation, you are somewhere where you can learn new things, try something different, meet new people, and experience things that you might not have if you succeeded the very first time.
Personally, I have experienced many failures in my life and I know I'm not the only one. For some, failure may be receiving a terrible grade on a test. While that may seem like the world is over when you see your grade, step back and embrace the hand--or the failure--that has been dealt to you. In this situation, look at the test, see where you made mistakes, ask for help, and prepare for the next test. Study harder, longer, or however you need to in order to perform better the next time. Learn from this "failure" to be better prepared for the next test.
Maybe not all of us are failing at tests; maybe it is something bigger: a friendship, a job, or following through on commitments and responsibilities. Whatever it is, don't stop trying. Talk with the person if you are having a difficult time in a friendship, seek help or guidance in your job, and take a look at your commitments and responsibilities to see where you need improvement. There is always room to change or alter your current state; you just have to be willing to make the change.
Failure is a good thing; it sheds light on new oppotunities: opportunities for growth, for learning, and for living. Live each moment to the its fullest potential. If you fail, pick yourself up, step back, reevaluate, and try again. Don't worry about the future, just keep trying. You can do it!
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -Winston Churchill
