Everyone can be Successful

People are who they are based on genetics and environment. While we may not be able to change our genetics, we can change our environment and our thinking. I feel that people who have resigned to failure have just given up on themselves, they have a lack of self-confidence that can be restored if they are able to get into an environment of others that truly care and can encourage them to "keep trying" and "try again" and to get them to believe in themselves again and given opportunities where they can have success so they can restore the "damage". Success is built upon failure and nobody knows how many failures it takes to reach success but if they don't give up, they WILL reach success eventually, the key is to never give up and to never lose your enthusiasm. I read a really great article that lists 7 steps to overcome failure (and these are priceless!!): 1) rise up and don't regret; you have spent your time wisely; 2) understand that failure is there to bring you wisdom; 3) learn as much as possible from the failure; 4) don't give up; maybe you are only one step away from success; 5) maintain your enthusiasm; 6) keep dreaming big dreams; and 7) keep your confidence in yourself (Latumahina, 2007).

Reference:

Latumahina, D. (2007). 7 Powerful Tips to Overcome Failure. Retrieved October 3, 2008 from http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2007/11/07/7-powerful-tips-to-overcome-failure/

Pain gives birth to beauty

Life just happens without a script and without our consent or control things just happen for the good, the better, the bad or even worse. We don't always have explanations as to why things happen to us or around us that we would not wish upon our worst enemy but they happen anyway. We have opportunities with every hand we are dealt to either rise to the occasion or to just give up and give in. When I think of how natural beauty comes about I think of the grain of sand agitating the oyster and it eventually gives birth to a beautiful pearl, the stress and pressure on a lump of coal in a dark mine gives birth to the most sought after stone, the diamond, and most precious of all, after 40 weeks of sheer discomfort and untold hours of LABOR we give birth to our children. Anything worth having in life comes out of some kind of painful transformation or metamorphisis and sometimes we are the butterfly unfolding our wings emerging from our own cacoon. We don't always know why horrible things happen in life but they unfortunately do and the only control we have is in the way in which we respond or react. I hope that I can always rise to the occasion when I am challenged with horrible circumstances or situations and that I can deal with them in a manner in which I can be proud of myself. I am in awe of people that still move forward regardless of their own obstacles where others would have literally given up! I strive everyday to have the strength to monitor my thoughts and actions to make the best choices with the information I have at the time and remain in a positive mindset for the benefit of myself and my family.