Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Try, Try Again (and Again)



I remember being in high school and I had a friend who was (much, much, much) cooler than I was (am) and whenever we'd take a test, no matter what the result was, she'd say,
"Well, who cares.  I didn't study or anything.  I didn't even try, so whatever."  Or something to that effect.  (I'm afraid I don't know how she would say it as I am not and never have been cool. Ha!)  


But, though I toyed with that idea briefly, I couldn't ever commit to not caring.  Or to not trying.  You see, I really want a certain life:  I want to be able to spend all day with my baby and then work on my music at night and then have the money to go to Prince Edward Island, if I should so desire.  


I totally understand the appeal in saying I don't care or even really, truly not caring: then, if I don't succeed, it doesn't matter.  Like my high school friend, failing a test you didn't care about is no big deal.  And if you should succeed, well, that makes the result that much more impressive.  


But I do care.  And I do try.  And I've failed a. lot.  Parts I've wanted, I haven't gotten.  Contests I've entered, I haven't won.  Shows I've performed that no one but the bartender heard. 


And all of what I've seen in life so far points to it being okay (okay to fail, okay for it to take a wee bit longer than you hoped, okay to walk out in the light and realize that the outfit that you planned painstakingly doesn't really match after all).  I mean, Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Julia Child - all people who tried (tried hard) and sometimes failed.  


But then when they did succeed, well, how worth while to have let their pride have been battered and their dignity smooshed.  


I say, try, try again!  What do you think?

14 comments:

  1. What a lovely post! I couldn't agree with you more, I've often told people "I don't care, whatever" when of course I really did care. lol I've come to the point where I HAVE to try. If I don't try at all, I don't even get the chance to succeed and failure is my only option, right? :D I hope you get everything you want in life and experience brilliant successes!

    Thank you for the wonderful card you sent, it truly made my day!

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    1. Thank you for your wish! I hope YOU get everything too!

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  2. i think part of succeeding is failing. The most brilliant artists, writers, and just hard workers have one thing in common- perseverance! You fall right into place (although I personally don't think you've failed at all!)

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    1. Thank you so much, Diana! I read in an article the quote "Like all great successes, it started off with a failure" and I think that is so true!

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  3. You have the Mom stunning glow in the photo!

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  4. Emma, I couldn't agree more! I care so much about all I do. I can't imagine not putting my all into everything, and remaining persistent! Thanks for saying it in such an inspiring way. By the way, I love photos of you here!

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    1. Thank you, Francy! And I love the passion you exude in your blog!

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  5. This is so true Emma. I feel like my generation (I'm 23) is not equipped to handle failure; they've been given everything! There have been many projects that have turned awry. I once cut a dress in 2 I was so fed up with it. But with every failure, I learn something. And when I accomplish something, just like you said, it's that much more rewarding. Keep trying and so will I :)

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  6. Dearest sweet emma, such a perfect little post of the things i go thru too. So so true! I always tell myself that it is okay to fail and i will take it as a lesson learned. I have failed a lot of times too but once we succeed, it's gonna be so much more meaningful and worthwhile. You are so beautiful. :) Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!

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  7. i think aspect of thriving is unable. The most amazing performers, authors, and just challenging employees have one factor in common- perseverance! You slip right into position

    Outsources Bookkeeping

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  8. I've often informed individuals "I don't care, whatever" when of course I really did care. lol I've come to the factor where I HAVE to try. If I don't try at all, I don't even get the opportunity to be successful and failing is my only choice, right?

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