“From our stumbles and mistakes come unexpected lessons”….in fact, invaluable lessons that promote self growth. It’s each set back and failure that we endure that shapes our character and builds on our ingenuity and wisdom. Our society has grown to fear the idea failure instead of embracing challenges. The word “challenges” itself springs and instinctive desire to shy away from an opportunity. Why do we think like this? We have grown up in a society that treasures and celebrates leisure and rejects anything involving hard work. We’d much rather seek the easy way out or find a shortcut into doing things instead of facing something head on. Taking risks takes courage and what we don’t realize is that at these defining moments are opportunities to seek a glimpse of the great person we may one day become. But if we constantly shy away from these golden opportunities to grow and shine, how can we expect to succeed?
If anything, this chapter has taught me one major theme: No one plans for failure, but you should never shy away from a great opportunity because you are scared to let someone down. Backing away from a challenge does little but simply rob you of learning, growing, and discovering ways to make a difference, no matter how big or small.
The Other 90% - Robert K. Cooper
I thought I'd also make a small connection to the the Odyssey that we are reading in Classical Civ. It reminded me of our discussions on a the classic Greek hero and the extents that they'll go to, in order to achieve greatness. Heroes like Odysseus never shied away from the idea of failure, he faced each challenge he came across with courage and dignity. If he had never stepped up to these opportunities and taken lead, he would never be the great hero he is classically known to be today.
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