Failure…

Failure

When I failed to beat the competition in a book-publishing contest this weekend, I chose not to view this as a failure. I see it as proof that I tried to do something out of the ordinary. I may not ever be a household name, or to be splattered across a billboard, but I don’t see it as a negative.

There have been many years that I have been too terrified to even attempt something so public. I would have been mortified to try but fail. Something in my thought process changed a couple of years ago. I no longer worry that I am not seen as a success. I have heard from someone I once looked up to, that I shouldn’t even bother, as I am not a ‘real’ writer. This would have crushed me into throwing in the towel not too long ago, but it only served to prove how little that person means in my life now.

I know I am not the only one who is not ashamed to admit that I tried, but didn’t succeed. I plan to continue to try until I take my last breath. I love hearing the success stories, and celebrating with those that have made it. I would love to attain that prize and say, “I made it.” I won’t be sad if I do not however, it is enough that I have the opportunity to try. I choose Joy over Sadness and Thankfulness over Ungrateful thoughts!

Those sad for me can take heart, it is nothing in the big scheme of things and I am happy today that my brain is still cranking out ideas and my fingers are still slowly getting the ideas on paper! Onward and Upward!