Tuesday, December 04, 2007

You Can't Go Forward Looking Backwards


The words caught my attention this past weekend when I heard Bill Bartmann say them. I've got them on my computer screen to remind me.

Cause, folks, that is so-o-o true. I can hardly walk front-ways without tripping over my own feet. But to walk frontwards while looking back? I don't think so.


And how much does it apply to our life? Where do we want to go? What do we want to do . . . tomorrow? Are we going to get there by looking at the past? By meditating on our past failures? By rehashing what's already happened?

Nope. Just ain't so. It's not going to happen.

Bill said (and if I happen to sound star-struck, it's because I am!)
  • We will fail.
  • Most failures are avoidable (but unfortunately, we don't avoid them! LOL)
  • Both success and failure are temporary. (Thank God!)
  • Success and failure are different sides of something.
  • Any failure can be overcome.
  • Failure isn't a deadend; it's a detour.

How can we overcome failure?
  • Use all the help in your resources: family, friends, faith.
  • Admit your failure
  • See it for what it is. Don't exaggerate the failure. It's not the end of the world.
  • Compare it to your previous history. Make a list of all your successes, including the little stuff.
  • Forgive those involved--those you thought should have been there to stop your failure.
  • Learn from it.
  • Get a personal motivator.
  • Get a role model.
  • Get UP and get going.
  • Keep going.
Looking at failure from Bill's point of view diminishes the harshness of it. How should this guy know so much about failure? He's been there and done that! He knows what he's talking about.





Here's a great hint for making your kitchen Christmasy:
All you need is a store bought pot holder, a hot glue gun, a seam ripper or scissors, and a teaspoon or so of your favorite spice to re-create Grandma’s magic.

Look for the place where the pot holder was closed up after it was stuffed. This spot is often hand stiched shut instead of being machine stitched. Unstitch approximately one inch with a seam ripper or scissors. Drop the spice into the hole you have created in the pot holder and then hot glue it shut. (If you use other types of glue, it will be too hard for you to re-open the pot holder to add more spice.) If you are really handy, sew on a snap to re-close the hole, instead.


Don't forget to email me, comment, phone, talk to me in person, send a pigeon, or whatever to get your comment in this week. Read last Friday's post to find out how to get in two chances to win one of Molly's books!
Tidbits about Molly Noble Bull:

Molly's father and maternal grandfather were real Texas cowboys who rode, roped, and branded horses and cattle. Now she has three grown sons who are involved in ranching today! She lived for a time, when growing up, on a sixty thousand acre Texas cattle ranch!




Quote:
I would rather try something great and fail . . . than to try nothing great and succeed. --Bill Bartmann


Blessings!

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