What failures are you grateful for?

Success and failure go hand in hand. "The things you are fired for are often the things that in later life you will be celebrated and given life time achievement awards for!" Francis Ford Coppola was canned for writing an "odd" and awkward script for the now legendary film Patton. The film was shelved, took years to make, and then went on to win an Oscar for best screenplay. Meanwhile, Coppola was working on The Godfather and was also on the verge of being canned from that film. He figures the glory from the Oscar saved his butt from being fired from The Godfather...which as we all know, went down in movie making history. If I hadn't been rejected from art school, I'd never have written my first book. If I'd gotten that gig with the big publishing house, I wouldn't have met The Dalai Lama. If I'd stayed in my last company, I wouldn't be writing the White Hot Truth. What's "odd" is often revolutionary (change happens at the edges..beware the majority.) Artistry rarely compromises, it just looks for a new place to express itself. "Good" will never, ever, ever be as deeply fine as giving it your all come hell or high water. Thank God for failure. What failures are you grateful for?

Failure Angel

The Subtle & Abiding Sense of Failure Angel. Know her? Ry Cooder is considered to be one of the greatest bluesmen of all time. Yet, on more than one occasion, with a sold out concert and multiple encores, he asked promoters to refund the audience their money because he felt, "I could have been better." I have a painter friend whose art sells for $10,000 a painting. She routinely paints over pieces that are for sale in her gallery. It could have been better, she says. I've gotten standing ovations for speaking gigs. "Meh, I give myself a B. Coulda been better." Here's the confession: I always feel like I'm failing. And succeeding. And failing. And succeeding. And failing. I'm not masochistic. My glass is not 'half full', it is oceanic. I feel sturdy and ripe. But The Subtle & Abiding Sense of Failure Thing.... it's as steady as the green of my eyes. If you're committed to the sacred strive, The Subtle & Abiding Sense of Failure Thing will always be along for the ride. ... In your speech, your craft, your work. Pleasing your lover, planting your garden, dispensing your accumulated knowledge. You can make masterpieces. Daily. You can please some people, get a raise, fire up your kundalini, you can hit it out of the park and sleep like a satiated baby that night. And then in she glides, to sit in the chair in the corner of your room: The Subtle & Abiding Sense of Failure Thing. She's an angel, I tell you. An angel. You are not insecure, neurotic, defective, obsessive, or unappreciative. (Well, maybe you are, but not because you experience The Subtle & Abiding Sense of Failure Angel.) Coexisting with The Subtle & Abiding Sense of Failure Angel is part of making art. She is as reliable as your creative impulses. She comes bearing invitations. To more. The Subtle & Abiding Sense of Failure Angel is able to enter because you left your heart open. Leave it open. You have to. To make more stuff. To make it better, so that we evolve and bring one another along for the ride. Where demons get to be angels if you look at them the right way.

ERMA BOMBECK

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. 

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

 I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ... But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

ODE TO JOY

LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN Beethoven's great chorus At one of the most difficult periods in his life, Ludwig van Beethoven composed what most would say was his greatest symphony. His "Ode to Joy" from the Ninth Symphony has been and will always be the chorus of Beethoven's life.

Robert Burn--to a mouse

Poetry by RUMI -- Who Says Words with My Mouth

RUMI