Monday, June 1, 2015

June 1: Writing Prompt #152-Silver Linings

Write about something you consider “ugly” — war, violence, failure, hatred — but try to find beauty, or a sense of hope, in your thoughts.

Failure-To me, failure IS one of the most beautiful parts of the human condition because it develops our humility and our compassion for others and their struggles.  The definition of humility on Merriam-webster.com is “the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people.” On thefreedictionary.com, the definition of failure is “The condition or fact of being insufficient or falling short.”  None of us are perfect, and we all fall short of what is expected.  We even fall short of our own aspirations at times.  That’s what makes our failures beautiful. They bring us off our pedestals and remind us that we are fallible, so that the next time someone fails us, we greet them with understanding and love instead of anger and disappointment.  Some of the most difficult words I’ve ever heard uttered from one human being to another are, “I’m so disappointed in you.”  How about, “It’s okay. I understand how you feel, and I’ve been there before.” How about, “We all make mistakes, so let’s consider this a learning experience for next time.”  I’d rather be a support system for someone than bring them down. I’d rather find a way to relate to them than look for ways to criticize them.  Lift up, not tear down. That’s what failure does for us…teaches how to be there for others, how to empathize with them and how to be better bosses, friends, and family members. What does failure look like to you?

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