My first idea for this post was to call it Inspiration and write about some people who have inspired me. I may still do that before this week is all said and done, but I changed the idea from inspiration to failure.
Well…not quite failure but the idea of failure. Feeling like one. Acting like one. Talking like one.
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind how we feel about ourselves will come out in our speech, attitudes and actions. I have seen ball teams defeated even before they even take the field. You can read it in their body language. You can read it in their demeanor. You can read it in their eyes. You can see it in their actions as they warm up.
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Sure we may lose a contest, but we are not going down without a fight. I’m sure you have heard people say, “Failure is not losing. Failure is the unwillingness to get back up.” There is nobody on this planet-past, present or future- who has not fallen. Babe Ruth is quoted as saying, “Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.” He also said, “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” Michael Jordan once said, “I missed over 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I was trusted with the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
The late Tim Hansel was fond of telling a story about Winston Churchill visiting his alma mater, Harrow School. The super gave him a rousing introduction and told the students to be sure and take notes. He stood up and said, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never, never, give in.” Then he sat back down. (There are various versions of that speech and its content)
Failure in Churchill’s mind was not an option. The Bible is flooded with people who refused to give in or give up. Daniel. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego. Jesus. History is flooded with people who refused to give up or in. Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone (Alamo). George Washington. Abe Lincoln. Failure was not an option.
We have all been down before…and probably will again. The key is to not stay down. Temporary setbacks are called that for a reason. One of my favorite scenes in Seabiscuit is when Jeff Bridges’ character, Charles Howard, moves west to open a bicycle shop only to find no one interested. His world changes when he is asked to fix an engine of a car that is blowing steam. He appeared stumped after he had taken it apart. Inspiration comes and he puts it back together, which eventually leads him to selling cars.
Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Failure is not an option. Carry that with you this week.
What say you?
After writing this post, I read this.
I have known times in my life where trying to take another step forward seemed infinitely harder than continuing to wallow in my own pain. No pep talk in the world can help that kind of pain. Sometimes it just takes time for the senses to dull the hurt.
i don’t deny that Daniel. But what I am excited about is for awhile it kept you down, but in time you got back up. You are who you are through all of the pain.
Wow! Great post Bill. Checked out the read about Carlos, which is amazing. With age, I feel as if my failures, and setbacks are God’s learning lessons, instead of dramatizing that they are disasters, I feel I’m stronger in realizing what lesson I’ve learned & then down the road the puzzle piece fits into place…it wasn’t a disaster at all, it was the way it was supposed to be for my good. Thanks for the pep talk too, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like giving up at times, but I’m just stubborn enough not to let failure be an option! I have learned this especially when it comes to my kids having difficulties…failure is not an option & I won’t give up! I say, you have a great week Bill and don’t give up! 🙂 Love ya!
You are describing exactly what I was writing about Jan. The difficulties that put us down also can make us stronger and wiser. You have a great week also Jan. Look forward to seeing you and Michael in November. Love ya back!
This was a timely post brother. I am up late tonight turning a few failure over in my mind. Was not going to do any social media tonight, just answer a few email then try to sleep again. But here I am reading food for my soul, very good post Bill. Glad you did not give up on writing.
Well Betty…I reckon God had other plans than for you to wallow in your failures. 🙂 And how did you know there have been times I have thought about not writing any more? 😛 Thanks for the kind words.
Timely post for my world. Trusting that even when I feel like I have failed- I turn that setback into the desire to succeed.
Well your post yesterday sort of inspired this one. It says what I couldn’t say on your blog. 😉
I think that’s the key. If you think you will fail, you will. If you don’t quit, you won’t fail.
Good way to put it Larry.
I agree with the idea of “getting back up”. I think it is simply a matter of attitude. A lot of people are a lot harder on themselves than is healthy. They get almost paralyzed by the fear of failure while others see it as a motivation to do better next time. One thing I like about Joel Osteen is his message about having the right attitude. Success is almost always predicated by a successful attitude.
And where we can, we should help those who can be successful by giving encouragement, hope, help, friendship or maybe even an unwanted dose of reality that can make a difference.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
No question much of it is tied to our attitude. It is also true we are often much harder on ourselves than we ought to be. We are also to use what we have learned into helping others through possibly the same thing. Thanks for the good addition today Jeff.
“Failure is the first step on the road to success” as we techy types say. Every failure has something you can learn from (every success has too of course, easy to forget that bit).
You are right Ivan. It is easy to forget the value of success.
I say amen! The greatest gifts are the ones based on the principles taught in God’s word. Perseverance is key. The greatest stories in life, fiction and non-fiction, are the ones that overcome adversity. I’ve developed a few adages that help remind me and the people around me of that truth, “Winning isn’t measured by a number, it is measured over a lifetime.” And, “If passion is king then perseverance is queen.”
The gift of gratification is gained in the journey, not the destination. Quitting just isn’t an option for the children of God.
Sadly Floyd, when people talk about perseverance it seems to be in reference (and hence argument) about perseverance and “once saved always saved.” Overcoming adversity is important…period. I like your adages.Thanks for sharing them.
I love encouragements like this. I find that the “failures” that hold me back the most are rejections. I think I can apply “never give in” to that too.
Thanks Melanie. Rejections can be a useful tool if looked at correctly.
Now, I have heard “failure is not an option” used in a way so as to mean that if you mess up, you’re out and we can’t tolerate that. What you’re describing though, I can get behind. Setbacks happen and people fall short just like we fall short. We get back up and trust God all over again. Good encouragement, Bill! Thank you.
I’m glad you see I am not referring to “failure is not an option” the first way. There is no way God is in that! Thanks for the encouragement Jason.
My dad was that type of person. Never give in, never give up.
I think of him and my mom when I want to give up.
Very inspiring post.
Great role models then TC. Thanks. Your folks would be proud of you.
Love this quote, “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” The only times we truly fail is when we quit or don’t learn from the past. Great thoughts as always, Bill:)
I liked that one also Dan. Thanks for coming by.
I think we need to distinguish what’s going on with failure. Sometimes God wants us to keep going. Sometimes, though, God may want us to drop back and evaluate. I know many times God has allowed me to fail to teach me something. But there is no ultimate failure!