Failure

So often, when people write or talk about failure, it is only to focus on its opposite. Failure was the setup for the eventual triumph. Failure was where the lesson was learned; failure made the victory sweeter.

But that narrative, inspiring as it is at times, sets up a certain pressure and expectation even around failure. Now we have to try harder; now the success has to be even bigger to compensate for the setback. Now we have something to prove. Now we pursue, or await, the victory with even more anxiety.

In reality, failure isn't always followed by success. Sometimes that truth is very hard, tragic even. But sometimes it's just--life. It's okay not to win in the end. Imperfection is okay. The journey is worth taking anyway.