on failing and trying
a thought i got from this sunday's reflection:
"i've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career, i've lost almost 300 games. twenty six times i've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. i've failed over and over and over in my life. and that's why i succeed!"-- michael jordan
all we remember are his stats:
six-time nba champion (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
mvp (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
ten-time all nba first-team designation
ten scoring tiles, three steals titles
a finalist to be inducted in the basketball hall of fame
and many others...
yet, nobody remembers or cared about the number of times he failed, just what he achieved.
while people are driven by success, and employ the necessary means to get there, this drive would seem to blind us of the fact that we are not born perfect. and so comes the shattering feelings when failures and disappointments surface.
we are either consumed by it...
feeling wrecked and hopeless, viewing life as difficult, harsh and unfair.
or, we get up from it...
and see that mistakes and failures are means of improvement, stepping stones for success. michael jordan would surpass "himself" each day by constant practice, a.k.a. self discipline.
this example leads us to a particular attitude in this season of lent: self discipline.
we don't view the lenten season as a schedule of the Church, nor just a reminder of the paschal mystery. it is an opportunity for us to reflect, to look upon our weaknesses, our failures, our sinfulness, and develop in us that self-discipline; to overcome our failures in order to share into the success of Christ, His resurrection.
Labels: challenge, gospel reflection, insights, inspirational, interesting, life, reflection
