September 2013, Issue 4 - Volume 1 Sept. 2013 | Page 13

failure is a path on the journey “I’ve come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the level of living I now enjoy.” ~Tony Robbins Several times a year Mike (the hubs) and I reflect back on our time together. We have had many moments of epic fails - some that were our fault and others that were just due to circumstance. In looking back, we can see how God has ordered our steps. If we hadn’t gone through all of those hard and horrible situations we would not be exactly where we are today. Trust me, we are not saying that “we’ve made it”, but we are on our way! For example, in order for Mike and I to meet we both had to experience some painful situations. I applied to work in an on-campus ministry, which would have forced me to move away. I was so sure that that job was what God had for me. I didn’t get the position. I was crushed and confused about the directions of my life. And Mike failed out of school. He made the decision to go back, but this time he wanted God on his side. So he decided to give church a try, which just happened to be my church at the time. Mike and I met at that church 8 years ago and our lives have never been the same - all because of a failed job interview and failing out of school. If I had gotten that job I would have moved away from the area and that church. I probably would have never met Mike. And if he hadn’t failed out of school he wouldn’t have visited the church. Even if he had, I wouldn’t have been there. We have failed in plenty of other areas in our life but from every situation we have learned and grown from all of them! Every situation and failure has been a new path on our journey, which has lead us to this very moment. Keep in mind that what you do after you fail is extremely important, as well. You can choose to do nothing, make the same mistakes or learn and grow from it. Failure is a building block for success. KFC founder, Colonel Sanders, was rejected 1,009 times before finding a taker for his chicken recipe. For Colonel Sanders, his road was paved with 1,009 no’s. Would you have stopped after the first no? What about the 100th or the 1,000th?? Failing can happen in relationships, education, careers or business opportunities. We all go through epic fails, but just know that the journey doesn’t end there, if you continue to move forward. Make every situation an opportunity for growth and learning. Talia Osborne – The Richmond Metro Woman 757-256-3750 | [email protected] Please tell them you found them in Richmond Metro Woman Magazine!! 13