Friday, April 27, 2012

Have We Failed?

This question has been in my head for some time now.  Do we as a society set ourselves up to fail?
It seems to me that if we don't have perfect the first time, we failed.  It seems our society really preaches success.  Does any one else feel this way?


For example, on the subject of having children.  Many people wait to have them after this or that occurs.  So when they finally have a child and something is wrong with it, all seems lost.  Also, some people aren't willing to have more than 1 or 2.   

I am not criticizing anyone here, I am just making an observation from things I have seen. I have also experienced this in my life.

Some other things I have thought of along these lines is college.  If we don't go, have we failed?  If we don't graduate in the top 10% have we failed?  I don't think so at all but I feel society thinks we have.

I love this quote.  I really believe that we only fail when we don't do anything.


What are your thoughts or observations on this subject?

9 comments:

Susan Anderson said...

The only failure is not getting back up again after you fall down.

That's it.

=)

Mary Kay said...

Reminds me of the Japanese proverb "Fall down seven times, stand up eight" I think it's better to risk "failure" in earnestly attempting to reach a goal than to later regret never having tried.

Lucy said...

Such deep thoughts? Society is funny how it defines things and judges. I guess the question is society failing individuals?

Grandma Honey said...

I think we are all on a journey of our own. What works for one individual or family may not work for the next. Good thing we live in a free country where we have the right to make decisions for ourselves.

Becky Jane said...

When I think of failure I think of never being able to correct or succeed. Christ has given us the redeeming power to pick ourselves up and try again. So, for me, failure is not recognizing what Christ has given us. Sure we make mistakes, but failure? To me, this is something Satan teaches. As long as there is hope, there is an opportunity to succeed!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I think that quote is perfect. I think the answer is yes, we do set ourselves up to fail. Although I'm not quite sure how to explain it! It's like we all want to win the game, come in first, be the best but we end up not living life. Like wanting that career, then buying that house before you have a baby. Have a baby and let God work out the rest for you.

Tracy said...

Karen, very thought provoking; my kind of post...I think as individuals we only 'fail' and I don't like that word but I will use it for these purposes...we only fail when we are not true to ourselves and what we want or desire and begin to live because of other's expectations. We are who we are and we want what we want and to deny that is simply failing to be who God intends us to be.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

There is a lot of pressure in society that could make one feel like a failure...this is thought provoking

momto8 said...

I tell my kids only they can be the judge of their success and failures...by looking deep in their heart..did they do everything they could? study , listen, prepare, work give 100% and ask Gods help..then if the scoreboard, or the report card or anyone says they failed, they know the truth in their heart..because we cannot always control the outcome, just the effort.