“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” —Liam Rivers
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” —Anna Wright
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” —Robert F. Kennedy
While these quotes inspire, there’s another layer of failure—one that cuts deeper, costs more, and imparts invaluable lessons. This type of failure is akin to hitting rock bottom, experiencing true defeat, and feeling so broken that rising from the ashes feels impossible. Yet, it is often in these moments of devastation that we find the clarity needed to rebuild our lives.
I recently came across an article on Elite Daily discussing the profound life lessons derived from such catastrophic failures. The insights were enlightening: you learn resilience, discover that hope exists even in the bleakest of times, and realize that a fresh start is always possible. Ultimately, you reach a crossroads where you can either succumb to your despair or harness it for a new beginning. However, to reach this point of understanding, one often has to endure a significant crash.
As a parent, the thought of my children experiencing such turmoil is daunting, which may explain why I shy away from discussing these realities with them. We can certainly prepare them for disappointments, but the idea of telling them they might face a crushing failure at some point in their lives doesn’t exactly fill me with enthusiasm. Is it possible to adequately prepare them for this?
Perhaps they would benefit more from hearing about the struggles of iconic figures like Walt Disney, who faced bankruptcy and arrived in Los Angeles with little more than a suitcase filled with essentials, or the story of Colonel Sanders, who lived in his car after losing everything. However, maybe it would resonate more with them to hear about someone closer to home—someone who, despite not achieving fame or fortune, still found joy after significant mistakes. As their mother, I strive to be their source of security, but I too faced a spectacular downfall in my youth, leaving me utterly shattered. That moment marked a pivotal change in my life.
Throughout their childhood, we tend to shield them from harsh realities, focusing instead on the brighter side of life. Yet, I can’t shake the feeling that I might be omitting critical lessons by not sharing my own experiences of failure. I remember grappling with the confusion and pain of my own crash, initially unaware that such experiences are universal. It took time for me to grasp the essential lessons hidden within those moments. Should I share that with my kids? I believe so. One day, when they’re ready for it.
I hope to be there for them if and when they encounter their own setbacks. An important principle I found in the article that triggered these reflections is this: “It may be impossible for you to see now, but everything falling apart for you may be exactly what you need,” as Paul Hudson articulated in Elite Daily. “It’s when we have nothing to lose that we give life our all. We give life everything we’ve got because we no longer feel that we’ve got much.”
While it’s tempting to shield our children from our failures, I’m realizing that sharing our struggles could offer them invaluable insights. After all, what better lesson can we impart than the reality that we’ve faced challenges, stumbled, and yet emerged stronger?
In conclusion, embracing the lessons of failure can be transformative. If you’re interested in further exploring this journey, check out one of our other blog posts here. And if you’re considering at-home insemination, reputable retailers like Make a Mom offer excellent syringe kits. Additionally, for those navigating the world of insemination, Parents.com provides great resources.
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