17-Sep-2020
In life as in most things, inevitably we don’t achieve what we wanted. Whether it is our fault or the fault of others, that is debatable but the bottom line is, we have ‘failed’ at this particular point in time.
We as humans, whom we think of ourselves as wise and smart, leading to defining ourselves as rational beings and so using our intellect, we assign logical reasons and meanings even, to why we failed. However, often or not, there are no valid reasons as to why and so we are left with emotions to deal with.
So, it is the emotions resulting from the failure that dominates our thoughts. Seeing our dreams so cruelly taken away at an instant, really hurts our feelings and egos. Most importantly, even as we are actually living day to day, we can sense our future self and future life being robbed right in front of us and that sense of outrage, of being denied what is ours to have, is what probably what hurts the most. In short, it feels as if our lives are over.
In truth, the universe does not care for your own or Yours Truly’s feelings. Nor does it care for what we did yesterday or today, or what happens tomorrow. The sun will rise again next day and whatever problems we have is essentially our own problems (to solve). In fact, the universe probably didn’t think there is a problem in the first place, like so what if we did something and it didn’t work out.
Obviously, it would be nice if the universe is sympathetic to our plight, listened to our fears and somehow mysteriously made everything all right. Maybe it will and maybe it won’t, where probably only the most fervent believers can actually sit and relax for the universe to (eventually) right the wrongs of our lives. That said, if you are somewhat sceptical of the universe and don’t feel you are particularly special and lucky enough for the universe to shine a light on you, is there anything else that can be done?
Already, we have seen that the universe probably doesn’t care too much, otherwise how else can you explain our failures, despite trying our hardest. Well, that’s assuming we did try our hardest. Should that not be the case, here’s our answer, we must try harder. Well, what if we can actually put our hands on heart to swear that we did try our hardest and utmost, then what? Well, the answer might surprise, it is to try yet again and maybe try something a little bit different, i.e. try harder still!
That’s right, the truth is incredibly hard to hear but the reason we failed is because we haven’t tried hard enough or long enough or tried different things enough. There is no magic bullet to success but those who have found it, either tried and tried throughout their life, where some got lucky right at the start and others at the end. Which really leaves the rest of us, somewhere in the middle of the field still searching.
By all means sulk and cry, throw a tantrum, complain why the world is so unfair and blame others, other forces even. However, at the end of the day, once we’ve gotten over our feelings, we’d realised nothing has changed and nothing’s going to change. So, it’s time to own up, either to be a baby and at mercy of others, or to be an adult and face life’s challenges head on, where success is not guaranteed and failure is part of life’s package.
Life is a harsh reality for the have nots, there is no denying this truth. The only thing that is within our power is to decide how we approach life, to turn our disappointments and setbacks into motivation, to remind us that if at first we don’t succeed, we can sure as hell try again and again till we do. The questions we have to ask ourselves are, are we tough enough? And have what it takes? (Sadly, the answer is, most of the time we lack the conviction and so our failure is almost inevitable and thus a continuation of our menial existence).
Failures are merely a test of our toughness and resolve. To overcome failure is to stand resolute against all odds, no matter the how many times we’ve been knocked down and battered to a pulp. As long as we held fast to our will to succeed, to keep the flame of our dreams burning alive, to remain hopeful and teamed with actions, then one day the universe might feel that we are finally worthy and let us have our fleeting glory.
Struggle Perpetual 