Failure is a Better Teacher than Success

"Failure refers to the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, and may be viewed as the opposite of success."  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failure)

For all our efforts and our best intentions, we all fail on occasion.  Sometimes we fail miserably, and other times, not so much.

But failure is not necessarily a bad thing.  Failure is vital to the learning process, a way of filtering out what does and does not work.  For instance, you may try a new marketing technique for your business that is a total failure. You spent money on it, and it produced no new business.  So, you learned to never use that marketing technique again.  The failure was a lesson.

In business, we should explore new ideas and ways to work our businesses.  Experiment with different marketing concepts.  The experiment will either succeed or fail.  Then we move on to the next experiment, having learned from previous trials.

http://catalystmlm.com/wp-content/gallery/love-failure/love-mlm-failure-010.jpg

Using this pattern of exploring, experimenting and either succeeding or failing is a skill we need to hone.  When experimenting, if an idea is bringing no results, discontinue the trial.  As soon as you discover that what you are trying is not working, stop it immediately.  Do not keep wasting your time (and money).  

When you try something that is not successful, take time to analyze it.  Don’t just move on.  Look at what you did and why it failed.  In this way, you can examine all the components.  Perhaps part of the experiment is workable, worth using in your next trial.

I’d like to conclude with a few quotes about failure from some well known people.

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”

Abraham Lincoln

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

Winston Churchill

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Winston Churchill

"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."

Michael Jordan

"Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out."

Benjamin Franklin

"Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable."

Coco Chanel

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James Armistead, Revolutionary War Spy, Unsung Hero

Much of this information was found at http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1963424_1963480_1963442,00.html.

Virtually all wars are fought with the help of spies, including the American Revolution. I am not an expert in American history, and I had never heard of James Armistead prior to seeing an episode of “Mysteries at the Museum” where his story was told.  I was fascinated, so I searched for more information about him online. 

Armistead was a slave born in the mid-1700’s in Virginia.  Both the British and Continental armies used spies to learn more about the activities of their enemy.  Armistead’s “master” gave him permission to join the revolutionary cause. There were many black men, both free and enslaved, were being used as spies on both sides.  James Armistead was unique, because he was a double agent being used by both sides.

Armistead was placed in the service under the (General) Marquis de Lafayette in about 1781.  Lafayette’s forces had been reduced by British General Charles Cornwallis’ troops after Benedict Arnold betrayal of the Continental Army.  

Lafayette was desperate for someone to provide him with information about the enemy’s movements. After gaining Lafayette’s trust by performing various jobs and tasks for him, Armistead was promised freedom if he worked as a spy for the Revolutionaries.  He began serving as an orderly and guide, posing as an escaped slave at Benedict Arnold’s camp. He acquired information which he sent to Lafayette.

After a time, Armistad was posted close to Cornwallis' camp where he was offered a position as a British spy, making him a “double agent.”   The revolutionaries then provided James with inaccurate information, which he brought back to Cornwallis.

Traveling between both sides, James learned that the British naval fleet planned to move 10,000 troops to Yorktown, Virginia.  They intended to make it a central post for their operation.

Providing this information to Lafayette and George Washington were able to seize the town and form a blockade that crippled the British military.  The results of this great victory subsequently brought about Cornwallis’ surrender on Oct. 19, 1781.

James Armistead’s actions were a huge contribution to America’s victory. Had he not provided the information to Lafayette – at the time he gave it to him – there may well have been a very different conclusion to the war.

With Lafayette’s recommendation, Armistead gained his freedom in 1787.  At that time he chose to add "Lafayette" to his name, to honor the general.

After receiving his freedom, he moved near New Kent, bought 40 acres of land, and began farming. He later married and raised a family.  He was granted a $40 annual pension by the Virginia legislature for his services during the American Revolution. He lived as a farmer in Virginia until his death in 1830.

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Boom!

I am part of the “Baby Boomer” generation.  My generation helped to destroy the once very common long-lasting marriage. We were the first generation where divorce became commonplace.  My own parents were married 63 years and my grandparents, 55. 

In earlier times when people married, they entered the relationship knowing that it would be permanent.  They had no more or fewer disagreements than people have today, but for most, escaping the marriage was never considered.  They didn’t throw things away… they fixed them!

Today, way too many people get married with, “If it doesn’t work out, we can always get a divorce” in the back of their minds.  They don’t consciously think that way of course, but it is a seed germinating, ready to bloom when challenges in their marriage arise.  I think fewer people with each generation are willing to make a lifetime commitment.

My husband and I will celebrate our 22^nd wedding anniversary on January 1, 2015. We were both married previously (I was widowed), neither of us for nearly as long.   We have disagreements.  Everyone does on occasion.  However, we never raise our voices in anger, never call one another names and never cuss at one another.  We always demonstrate respect for one another.

My sister brags that she and her husband have been married 35 years, but she has also told me that they scream and yell at one another and use filthy language when they “fight.”  Hmm.  Is this a “good” marriage because of its longevity?

My husband and I were recently discussing the poor marriage record of Baby Boomers, and we realized that although divorce is very common for those our age, we actually know several people who have been married for a very long time.

We have several couple-friends who have been married more than 30 years, the first marriage for two of those couples.  In fact, we were surprised to realize that most people we know have been married for 20+ years.  Since so many people divorce these days, how is it that we have so many friends in long-lasting marriages?  Do people in good marriages attract or seek out others in good marriages? 

I have found a similar attitude in network marketing.  Most of those in the industry are unwilling to commit to their business; while a small percentage is fully committed, no matter what or how long it takes.  I have developed a few close friendships with other network marketers.  Like the long-married couples I know, those close friendships only seem to be with those who have a similar passion for their business that I have for my own.   

Will the next generation and the next one after that commit to relationships and to their work, or will commitment become less and less common as time goes on?  Of course, I do not know, but I pray it is the former.

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"Thank You" Will Never Be Enough!

I found these wonderful quotes that honor all veteran, past and present.  In addition to the veterans themselves, I also would like to extend a huge “thank you” to the families of veterans who sacrificed so much by “holding down the fort” while their loved ones worked to defend us and maintain our freedom.  http://americanprofile.com/articles/20-memorable-veterans-day-quotes/

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 “I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot.” —Gary Hart

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” —Elmer Davis

“On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.”
—Dan Lipinski

“My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place—police, firefighters, and members of our armed forces.”
—Sidney Sheldon

“Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called.”
—Bill Shuster

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. “
—Joseph Campbell

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” 
—John F. Kennedy

“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.”
—Jeff Miller

https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1861/us-civil-war/index-lg.jpg

“I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, ‘Mother, what was war?’”  —Eve Merriam

“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms.  It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.” —G.K. Chesterton

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” – Billy Graham

“In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.” — Mark Twain

 “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” —Maya Angelou

“The hero is the man dedicated to the creation and/or defense of reality-conforming, life-promoting values.” —Andrew Bernstein

“Better than honor and glory, and History’s iron pen, Was the thought of duty done and the love of his fellow-men. “ —Richard Watson Gilder

“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” —Patrick Henry

“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!” – Sun Tzu

“Without heroes, we are all plain people, and don’t know how far we can go.” – Bernard Malamud

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