Blog (2023)

Lessons Learned from Failure.

Some people believe that you haven't actually lost anything until you actually lose. That's the way things work out for me, but there are times when I have no choice but to fold for the sake of preference. I wouldn't call it a failure; rather, it was simply giving up a fight or not wasting as much time as I should have been doing.

It is unsettling to think that there are people in the world who believe that one of the best ways to learn is through one's own mistakes and that life itself is the most effective educator. That particular latter interpretation is correct, in my view. It is said that failing in such a way can help a person reflect on what went wrong and then find ways to improve upon whatever it was that they did. They said that if we failed, we would learn how important it is to not give up, how important it is to always be ready, how important it is to work hard, and how important it is to take risks that are right for the situation. It is true that one should take the time to reflect on failures and use them as opportunities for growth and improvement, which can even lead to valuable insights and lessons. It is also true that one should take the time to learn from their failures. Unfortunately, failing doesn't always lead to learning something new or making a person better. I have personally known people whose fear of being seen as a failure by other people can sometimes be the cause of their downward spiral into depression and, in the end, suicide. To them, failure is unacceptable.

There are many other ways to gain knowledge and skills, such as learning through observation, mentorship, or instruction, all of which can be effective ways to learn without even the need to experience failure. Personally, I do not believe that a person needs to fail in order to learn if the objective is to learn. If the objective is to learn, then there are many other ways to gain knowledge and skills. To view one's life as nothing more than a string of victories and defeats is not a particularly helpful perspective to have. Instead, it might be more helpful to think of it as a process of continuous learning, in which we acquire knowledge and experience through the actions and choices we make. Every single learning experience, regardless of how positive or negative it was, can provide an opportunity for personal development and growth. It is imperative that, rather than merely dwelling on one's achievements or misfortunes, attention be directed towards the life lessons gained from each and every experience.

Everyone should have the right to fail or succeed based on their own efforts and capabilities in a society that is fair and just. This is something that everyone should be able to decide for themselves. There should not be any form of prejudice or discrimination based on characteristics such as a person's race or gender, their ethnicity or religion, or their socioeconomic status. Regrettably, there are a number of different manifestations of prejudice and discrimination. A more equitable society is one in which everyone has the right to succeed or fail based on their own merit, and it is of the utmost importance to work towards dismantling these systemic and individual barriers free from discrimination and bias. In contrast to this more equitable society, one that limits the opportunities and outcomes for certain individuals or groups due to systemic factors should be discouraged.

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." - Albert Einstein