Never Fear Failure. . .

By starrynight89 · Aug 9, 2008 · 771 · 6
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  1. I decided to post something a tad more optimistic than the dreary post before. I watched J.K Rowling's commencement speech in Harvard as well as Oprah Winfrey's at Stanford on Youtube. Both of them are truly inspirational and I strive to become at least half of the women they are today. One thing I noticed was that both of them talk about failure.

    J.K Rowling advised people to enjoy failure. I had always thought it was easier to say when you've reached the top but what she said made sense. It sort of strips away the expectations and obligations and makes room for improvement. Oprah Winfrey compliments this statements and tells us to ask ourselves "What have I learned from this?"

    Now, applying these wise words to my own situation: I didn't get into the honors program. I worked my entire year for a high GPA and thought I had a decent chance. What was even more devastating was when they told me they were concerned about my essay. . .

    My self-esteem hit rock bottom. However, I took it as a challenge and have churned out my first completed piece of writing. Granted, it's not over 1000 words but I had never experienced what it felt like to finish something. It felt good. I started on a novel (thanks to those who commented on the excerpt I posted!) and am well on my way to completing a short story. . . Other than writing, I've become more spiritual and positive. Now that I think about it, I should've written a better essay but the realization is important. . .not the regret.

    Oh and if anyone wants to check out the videos, here are the links:
    1. J.K. Rowling
    2. Oprah Winfrey


    What about you guys? How do you handle failure? Any comments about the videos. Anything?     :)
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  1. Still Life
    I never liked Oprah, well, maybe not Oprah directly, but the audience: All those middle-aged women in the audience, nodding and smiling like drones... but Oprah's got some sort of spunk and spice and this " I'm not gonna let you beat me/us whoever you are!" attitude that even I find hard to deny is inspirational.

    I'm terrible at essays. I'm terrible at writing conventionally, especially when people tell me they're "concerned". Anyone who has the nerves to go through with writing an essay after all that must have nerves of steel.

    Congrats on the completing your writing!
    Still Life, Aug 10, 2008
  2. starrynight89
    I have to agree. . .I'm not an Oprah maniac but I do watch it from time to time but compared to Rowling's speech, Oprah's was so mediocre. She did say some good things but Rowling's was just so truly inspirational. i know what you mean about essays, I hate it when English teachers tell me to write what I feel and when I do, they tell me it's wrong. . . That's why I have to tweak my writing style and write in a way they'd like, it quite sad. Writing is hardly liberating in school, they try attach rules on how to convey emotion. . . and in the end you just end up with a bunch of crap. (<--aka all my essays in any english class).

    Oh and thanks! :)
    starrynight89, Aug 10, 2008
  3. Still Life
    I hate it when English teachers tell me to write what I feel and when I do, they tell me it's wrong. .

    lol, this happens a lot, and then I just get all pissy.

    I swear on the Dali Lami, I've never read a Harry Potter novel. My friends try to convert me, but I've never been sold on her stuff. Is she really as good as everyone says she is? And am I totally missing out????
    Still Life, Aug 10, 2008
  4. lessa
    Possibly the most damaging right we have taken away from our children is.
    "the right to fail"
    children do not fail a year, they simply have to repeat a few subjects but move on with their friends.
    there are no losers in a race, there are just faster runners.
    If you fail it is swept under the rug by giving it a different name.
    If we do anything for our children give them the right to know what failure is.
    They will go much farther in the real world.
    lessa, Aug 10, 2008
  5. starrynight89
    I agree with you lessa. Even though my parents are fairly tolerant, I can see the disappointed. It just puts a lot more pressure, I guess. And these days, success is defined by materialistic gains and. . . not many people cherish personal development. It's quite sad because the latter is more necessary than the former. My mother usually says "failure is a stepping stone towards success" but. . .. not sure she abides by that.

    Thanks for the comment! :)
    starrynight89, Aug 10, 2008
  6. Torana
    I don't see how you can fear something that does not exist. Because in reality, you don't fail if you at least try once.
    And if you don't complete a novel, but you do start, you haven't failed. Why? Because you have at least attempted to write a novel.
    I always grew up thinking that I was a failure to my family, and my friends, and to myself. But looking back, all I see is people telling me what a failure I was, when in fact I wasn't a failure at all. Now I just don't believe failure exists. We might not do so well at something, or give something up before we complete it, but we haven't failed, because we did try. We made an attempt, and that isn't failing at all.
    Torana, Aug 11, 2008
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