What is failure?

Today we have a guest post. I didn’t write this, but I wish I did.

I don’t do these often, or ever actually. But I do so if I come across a body of work worthy of sharing.

This was written so well, sitting in a PDF collecting digital dust, until today, so grab your coffee, kick back for 5 minutes and let your mind wander for a moment while you read along.

What is failure? - By Anon.

If you were to hear the word dog you would think of a four-legged canine with its tail wagging.

If you were told to draw the sky, you would first think of the sky as blue with white clouds.

If you were to hear thunder, you would think of lightning.

But if you hear the word failure, what would you think of?

As a twelve year old, I would have been focused on finding the right mascara for myself, or talking with my friends about the latest school gossip.

To an extent, this was my case.

Yet fate had other plans and as a result I ended up growing up too early.

Reading more than playing.

Studying more than enjoying.

And thinking more than laughing.

As a person, where I am now wouldn’t be possible without a few sacrifices, but I have my regrets in terms of actually acting my age.

But what I don’t regret is fighting for what I want in situations.

Growing up I developed certain ideas and beliefs that I held true to myself, however I had a fear instilled in me to not cross any boundaries and to do what I was told.

As a child I didn’t see anything wrong with it but as I matured I started questioning certain values that I was brought up with.

I started rethinking my past actions and why I did them, and if anything I did benefitted me at all.

So I started to really say no to certain cultural ideas and practices, I started to say no to choices made by others rather than made by me, and I started to say no to career paths that would please others rather than please myself.

Of course, choosing my own career in a place where I’ve been raised with everything chosen for me caused an uproar.

I was told that if I don’t follow what others wanted for me that I’d fail in life.

Now when I heard this I started to think about what failure actually was.

Failure to those that told me I’d fail was simply me not turning out the way they wanted me to turn out. But when I really started thinking about what failure looked like, I imagined myself sitting still and doing nothing, instead of thinking of failure as not choosing to do what you’re told to do with your life.

Me being me, I fought.

I fought to have my career chosen by me.

To have my college chosen by me.

And to have my interests chosen by me.

However the aftermath of what felt like a war against the world was worth it. I really would not be where I am without making a few sacrifices.

I am now a product of my own hard work, of my own vision, and of my own achievements.

I have my own efforts to be proud of rather than someone else’s efforts.

As rough as the journey has been for me, I really am grateful for everything: every mistake, every lesson, every unknown path I’ve made known for myself.

Ans looking back, I would not be where I am without making a few sacrifices, and I would not be here if I didn’t question what my own failure really looks like.

Hit and let me know your thoughts on this, I’d love to share with the writer.

Some words from Daanish:

Success is what you define it as.

For some it’s money, for others, it’s peace and a happy family.

Equally, failure is what you define it to be. Growing up we’re taught about failure through the lens of society, our parental upbringing, culture, religion, environment and educational system.

Seldom do we question the status quo and decide for ourselves.

Sometimes, being rebellious might just be the best decision.

Medical School Update 🩺

I'm on my elective in America, I have SO MUCH to share but I'm so busy these last 2 weeks so you'll hear and see more when I'm back.

For now let's just say this country is a VIBE.

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