Silver Linings and Pitfalls

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

I have failed, and floundered, and fumbled and faltered and failed again. I went through seasons of my life where it seemed I would never learn a single lesson. Willfully ignorant. Cognitively dissonant.

I have failed classes. I have failed to reach my potential. I have definitely failed to meet expectations. I have failed to keep myself safe, physically, spiritually, emotionally. I have failed to stay healthy. To be sober, to eat right, to exercise. I have failed professionally and personally. I have failed at things, that in the grand scheme, I am quite good at. At times, dropping the ball on my husband and my children and my friends.

But I have also, bounced back, and turned it around. I have overcome and rebounded, recovered and rebuilt. I have started anew. I stumble, but I usually land on my feet. Once I stuck the landing so firm I wound up in this most beautiful life. So in this respect, I do believe that failure can be magical.

It is not my greatest triumphs that have bred my resilience. It’s every time I fall flat on my face, but get back up and dust myself off- that is success, regardless of the supposed defeat. It becomes a sort of muscle memory. Every recovery gets easier. Making each future difficulty less daunting. I have been through hard times before, I am strong enough to manage what’s next, as well.

Every obstacle contains a silver lining. I collect them in a basket like softly glowing stars. I use them to light my way. I stumble along trying to avoid the pitfalls. Knowing that even if I fall, I’ll find my way out. Each difficulty I overcome adds to my collection of Little Victories.