Daily writing prompt

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

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I think I have already briefly mentioned this on my blog. Initially, failures overwhelmed me. It felt like I was simply not capable of achieving things that seemed so natural to others. I also believed I was the only one facing these challenges. However, as I grew older, I began to realize that everyone encounters struggles and failures, each handling them in their own way. My early failures, such as not scoring perfectly on exams, now seem trivial in retrospect. I started reading more books and traveling extensively, which expanded my mind and allowed me to view things from a broader perspective. I learned that failures pushed me harder towards success. I no longer take things for granted and work diligently for everything.

Failures, in fact, prompted me to think differently, which I would consider a blessing. I began to cherish and appreciate even the smallest things.

There’s a Sanskrit saying – उद्योगिनं पुरुषसिंहमुपैति लक्ष्मीः (udyoginaṃ puruṣasiṃhamupaiti lakṣmīḥ)- which translates to ‘Fortune favors those who strive hard.’ This is a principle I firmly believe in.

Furthermore, there exists an ancient saying: यत्ने कृते यदि न सिध्यति कोत्र दोषः – yatne kṛte yadi na sidhyati kotra doṣaḥ, which translates to ‘If your hard work does not lead to success, what is there to blame?’ This rhetorical question implies that if you have fulfilled your duties diligently, there is no cause for self-reproach. Thus, it beckons us to gracefully accept the outcome and progress towards new challenges with undiminished spirit.