Insanity is the process of doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. The StoryAthlete remains vigilant and conscious of deficiencies that may arise within their 4-Dimensional (Mind, Body, Business, Relationships) success. He/she realizes that the lack of being experienced is only a symptom of the actions being implemented. Like gardeners weeding the soil of our lives, we take away that which inhibits growth, and infuse that which will support it.
Have you ever seen the short bullet-point summary of Abraham Lincoln’s life?
- 1831 – Failed in business
- 1832 – Defeated for legislature
- 1833 – Again failed in business
- 1834 – Elected to legislature
- 1835 – Sweetheart died
- 1836 – Had a nervous breakdown
- 1838 – Defeated for speaker
- 1840 – Defeated for elector
- 1843 – Defeated for Congress
- 1846 – Elected for Congress
- 1848 – Defeated for Congress
- 1855 – Defeated for Senate
- 1856 – Defeated for Vice-President
- 1858 – Defeated for Senate
- 1860 – ELECTED PRESIDENT
History has been kind to President Abraham Lincoln. He has been painted as probably the greatest president of the United States of America.
But I’m glad that history also records his failures. It reflects his frail humanity but also shows his attitude of never giving up.
He experienced defeat many more times than success, but that did not mean his life as a whole was a failure.
The perception that an experience is a ‘failure’ versus a ‘learning experience’ can either break us or make us. Those who perceive their life as a series of ‘failures’ are haunted by unpleasant memories. These memories are like shadows that lurk in front, behind, beside, beneath and above. is also a cage that traps the mind, preventing it to entertain possibilities of freedom and success. They are convinced that they cannot do it; therefore, they will not try.
Those who interpret their negative experiences as data to help them learn versus ‘failures’ are those who ultimately succeed in their goals. Failure to them is not a ghost, haunting them, but a friend who teaches them. It is also a stepping stone to wisdom.
One of my favorite quotes by Lincoln is this one:
“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”
Remember, we ARE the stories we tell ourselves.
When you suffer a defeat, do you tell yourself you have ‘failed’ and beat yourself up over it?
Or do you say, “Well, now I know what DOESN’T WORK, pick yourself up and get back on the proverbial saddle?”
And just as an aside, sometimes I just want to wallow in self-pity. It’s human to feel that way at times. My solution for that is to take a time-out and CALL on the LORD. Once I touch my spirit, I touch the God of Resurrection – and He catapults me out of that mindset. That’s what helps me…