Word of the week: FAILURE

by Carmen de Jesus

The word of the week is failure. So many of us are afraid of this word.

Failure:

an act that fails; "his failure to pass the test"
an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose; "the surprise party was a complete failure"
lack of success; "he felt that his entire life had been a failure"; "that year there was a crop failure"
a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently
an unexpected omission; "he resented my failure to return his call"; "the mechanic's failure to check the brakes"
bankruptcy: inability to discharge all your debts as they come due; "the company had to declare bankruptcy"; "fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks"
loss of ability to function normally; "kidney failure"

One of the presuppositions of my training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming is that "There is no failure, there is only feedback." Sometimes the "feedback" is that what you're attempting is not the right thing for you to do, or that you should change strategies/tactics, or that the goal you wished to achieve is not in alignment with your path, or that you're simply not ready.

There is always opportunity to be found in ostensible "failures," although it might not be an immediate consolation to think so. But you can train your mind to look for the windows opening when doors close, for silver linings in rain clouds, and for the gems of purpose-filled guidance from the Universe whenever things don't seem to work out according to your original plans. Believe that there's something better, more fitting and more right for you. Stay open to receive what you never expected.

| 06/27/07 | Commentary