I know. You’re reading the title of my blog post and thinking, “You should have posted that back on January 1st!” But really….should I have? I don’t think so. Because, let’s face it, most of us have probably already broken our resolutions anyway. Right? I know I can’t be the only one that sets goals and then fails miserably at them. And if I am, well, this is me standing (or typing) up and saying, “Hello World! I’m a Failure! And I’m Proud to be one!”
I think failing is one of the most beautiful things we can do. I know that sounds counterproductive, but hear me out. If I hadn’t failed by not getting accepted into all of the graduate programs in the US, then I never would have moved to Scotland. I wouldn’t be in this wonderful country learning more about myself, but also learning in depth about all of the things I don’t understand, and never will fully understand. But that is the beauty of failure. Failure leads to progression. Progression leads us to being better. Being better leads us to becoming better. And becoming leads us to who we dream ourselves to truly be. Failure, is a beautiful thing.
The thing about failing is that you can’t get stuck in the negative self thought that usually follows in that moment of rejection or failure. That’s the key part of failing, not getting stuck in the negative part. Now, I don’t have a solution to not fall for those negative thoughts, except I’ve always been able to find the silver lining in life. Maybe that’s the key. Looking for the silver lining and not being willing to give in. That doesn’t mean I don’t listen to negative self thoughts here and there because I’m human and I do. But the key is to push it out of your mind and figure out how to work around the problem.
You have to do the same thing with failing at your New Year Resolutions. You just put your head up and you keep trying. No one can fault you for trying and doing your best. I think about that on a daily basis. Trying to be better then you were the day before. That’s what resolutions are about.
The pictures on this page show two different types of New Years (Hogmanay) festivals. The first are of a fireball festival that happens in Stonehaven and the second is the Burning of the Clavie in Burghead. Both fire festivals are magnificent and really fun to attend. One of the meanings I’ve taken behind both is that fire cleanses. These fire festivals (for me) show the getting rid of the old and bringing in a revitalised and new year. It’s like a refiners fire in essence. It cleanses and purifies to make it into something new and wonderful. It’s all about your perspective.
The Liz Kent Experience 