I can’t say I have more than a passing acquaintance with failure. If I have ever failed at anything, I can’t recall it, though these days I must confess that I remember very little and understand even less. True, I wasn’t a great success at Dutch folk dancing, but that was because Dutch people are so mean, rather than any failing on my part.
I have a ‘can-do’ attitude and have always believed I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. If you think you can’t, you can’t; if you think you can, you’re right.
I put this down largely to my upbringing. “Can’t” was a four-letter word in our house. My father brooked no failure. One of his many favourite sayings was, “There’s no such thing as can’t.”
In addition to paternal influence, I attribute my failure at failure to three things: one, if at first I don’t succeed, I destroy all evidence that I tried; two, I only take on challenges I know I can’t lose; and three, my positivity. I positively exude positivity. I find such a disposition endears one to others and serves as a most convenient mask for the misanthrope. Though I’m not especially fond of people, I prefer that they don’t know it.
I can empathise, though, with those inclined to negative thinking. I mean, to mix metaphors, life is a clown show, and the lunatics have taken over the asylum. But what does negativity achieve? It doesn't change the situation. It merely makes it more painful. Besides, I tend to think that the world reflects back what we project into it. What you put out is what you get back, so it pays to be positive.
And if there’s one thing I’m absolutely positive of — and can state with complete certainty — it’s that we’re doomed. I tell you, doomed.
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Posted in response to Galenkp's Weekend experiences asking you to 'write a post about your experiences with failure and how you handled it.' and ' Tell us how you respond to positive and also negative people and why.'
The images are mine
