Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. Thomas Edison Failure is something many of us have experienced in our lives and sadly something many of us have used to define who we are. Unfortunately, failure is genearlly seen as something negative and has kept many of us from living a life full of potential. It's far easier to never begin the journey, especially if expect to be perfect from the onset, than to have to endure one failure after the other. Our need for perfection can cause many us to view anything short of that goal as a failure. But what if we learn to use failure as a tool to move us closer to our goals? Do you think that you can let go of the past and use each failure as a stepping stone to success? Failure allows us to grow As I have mentioned in previous blogs, failure allows us to learn. It allows us to see life in a different way. It opens us to changing our view on this journey we are on. I like to say if I already knew everything than what's the point to life. It is truly through the mistakes that I have made that I have learned most about life, but more importantly about who I am as a person. Failure is what allows us to grow and to get out of our comfort zone. Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.--Henry David Thoreau Failure allows us to become stronger How many times have you decided to lose weight or get fit only to find yourself failing within the first 24 hours? Trust me when I say that you are not alone. I spent so many years being miserable because I allowed a single tool, the scale, to measure my success by. The minute I let go of the power the scale held over me, the minute I started to live. I measured my progress by what I could do, not by the number on the scale. My past failures allowed me to find that inner strength to move past this obstacle that had been a major deterrent in embracing healthy living. We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.-- Eleanor Roosevelt Failure allows us to become educated Having started my dieting journey at the tender age of twelve I thought I knew just about everything one could know about losing weight. Even earning a degree in nursing almost 30 years ago did not keep me from falling into the trap of trendy diets. I tried everything from the Mayo Clinic Diet in college to the low-fat diet trend of the 1990s. While I did lose weight with all these diets, the common thread is that I NEVER kept the weight off. In fact, with each diet I followed I usually would end up gaining all that I lost and then some. What I learned after 30 years of failure is that any diet can lead to weight loss, but it is developing a healthy mindset that has allowed me to break free. The minute I started living like a healthy person the food no longer carried the stigma it did when I was 'dieting'. This doesn't mean I don't enjoy an occasional indulgence. However, in the past, the minute I was on a diet I felt the need to give up everything that I enjoyed so that the minute I slipped I would lose my momentum only promising to do better the next day. Failure allows us to build confidence This may sound odd, but having failed so many times in the past, as the old saying goes, "once one hits rock bottom, one can only go up from there." While many people have seen my weight fluctuate over the years, each time I would begin yet another diet it did make me wonder what they thought. In the past, I would announce to everyone that I had started yet another diet, but six years ago I decided this time was going to be different. I was going to do embrace my life by living by example. Outside my immediate family no one ever knew that I was on a quest to lose weight yet again. What started out as a weight loss journey soon transitioned into one of action, in other words seeing what my body could do. Running is the catalyst that gave me the courage and confidence that with time, patience and perseverance any goal could and will be met. Failure allows us to lean on others When I told my husband what I was writing about he listened with an open-mind and more importantly an open heart. He knows the battle I have endured most of my life, and through it all he loved me. In all my successes and failures he has offered a shoulder to cry on and a ear to listen. He was and is my biggest fan. He accepts me as I am. Sadly, I am my harshest critic. It took me over 30 years to discover that I am never alone on this journey, no matter how many times I fall down, there is always someone there willing to pick me up. What have you discovered about yourself regarding your own shortcomings? Do you see failure as an opportunity to moving you down the road to success?  You will earn 5 SparkPoints
Like what you read? Get your free account today!
Got a story idea? Give us a shout!
|
Popular Entries
More From SparkPeople
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comments
A good way to start the day, facing familiar pressures with a positive shift of approach. Report
Perhaps some may see this as a somewhat pessimistic view of life, but for me, it just reinforces that life is a wonderous journey and we should to try to learn from those "falls" (so we don't hurt ourselves too badly), but we also need to continue to move forward. Report
I have also learned not to concentrate so much on the number of the scale but on my overall health. Knowing and seeing the inches come off is an indicator that I'm on the right track. Report
And for us parents - what a great example to our kids - Report
Wow, Too many to address...lol.
Do you see failure as an opportunity to moving you down the road to success?
I see failure as a place that I visit and learn from. We must move on past the city limits of "failure". It will keep you longer than you want to stay. I have been trying to plan my life so that I don't visit this place very often. With all the planning, I still end up driving thru the city of "failure". Next time I'm gonna run the stop sign! lol
Report
God Bless
Report
Thanks Nancy!
Randy Report
I have never really tried to diet, I just did not care what I weighe or what my helth was like. When I did decide to start this journey, I told no one and have also "told" people by my actions. It really worked for me. I still have chocolate and ice cream, just in moderation. Why live without those things??
I am so proud of you for having the courage to share your story and to encourage others.
God bless you my friend! Report
Apparently people really do learn from their mistakes. I sure know I learned from mine.
In my 20s I lost over 100 lbs and eventually gained it all back plus almost 100 more. Having lived through that experience I can tell you I'm taking the potential for relapse very seriously and this time doing everything I can to boost the likelihood of successful maintenance. Report
Report