# On Success and Failure. 

> A nod toward reality | Of the humanity in our beings | An understanding that capturing the actualization of our desires | May not be the outcome of all scenes. 

**Published by:** [On The Inside](https://paragraph.com/@ontheinside/)
**Published on:** 2024-08-04
**URL:** https://paragraph.com/@ontheinside/on-success-and-failure

## Content

Mother Theresa of Kolkata Mosaic | A photo by Melanie Jane | Kolkata, IndiaSubscribe now Sun in the sky Immersed in the field Tending to the crop Working tirelessly to ensure yield.Sat at a desk. By the hands, a keyboard is grazed Eyes fixated on the screen Committed to the work, no matter the hour of the day.Stood in front of a crowd Podium grasped with the hand to the right Glancing at notes from time to time Striving to inspire or delight.Feet behind the line Awaiting the go Ready to take the skill that has been built To perform for the show.A good friend of mine recently asked me why I was sorry After I had shared the sentiment a few times When something I had worked hard for did not come to fruition, A failed attempt at a try."To whom is your sorry a need? No sorry Melanie, we simply proceed."As humans, we work toward things In our personal and professional lives We are shown depictions of what it means to succeed. And what it means to not get it quite right.The acceptance of a proposal A paper or a grant. The strong yield of our garden, Our field to which we tend. An applause from the crowd Honors and medals The winning of the race. Representations of success which we are to embrace.When the paper is rejected When we do not receive the money from the grant. When the tomato plant dies When no beans can be found on the stem. When we hear boos or silence When a crowd does not gather where we plan to speak. When no honor is bestowed When we do not make the team.These could all be deemed failure A mess-up, An instance when we did not perform quite right. I am grateful to have a friend Who gave me some uplifting insight.I had worked hard on a grant For a project that his community needs Funding that would implement a plan To mitigate severe water scarcity.He heard my sorries Told me that they had no place Then reminded me of the quote; to which he had often held faith."It is not how we are successful, but how we are faithful" Mother Theresa of Kolkata once said."The money will come, As it is supposed to, in its time. For now, we remember this And so we try, and try and again... try."A profound lesson is there A shifted focus on outcomes in life A hint toward an eternity Where success and failure are not the focus of life.A nod toward reality Of the humanity in our beings An understanding that capturing the actualization of our desires May not be the outcome of all scenes.A message of reassurance A grounded note to hold hope. A challenge to those beliefs That life often tries to teach us as we go.

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