I received an email from Craig Schiller on Wednesday morning. What a shining example of what ActiveRain is all about. His email was so honest and moving and well written, that I had a very difficult time responding to it. Each time I tried, I felt like my response was inadequate. He shared so openly his career ups and downs and his desires for the future. It was a breath of fresh air that left me breathless.
In the midst of attempting to respond, a few thoughts kept getting in the way. I just could not shake them. I had to stop and write them down. He caused me to reflect on my own stops and starts, my own failures and successes. I sent what I wrote to Craig and I asked him if I could share the words that he drew out of me. He obviously said, "yes." Here is what I wrote.
_______________
I have had many pinnacle moments in my life. I've had many low moments in my life. I've done good. I've done bad. I've had millions in the bank. I've had debt up to my ears. I've been applauded. I've been denounced.
Every time I allowed myself to think I had arrived, I hadn't. Every time I called myself a failure, I wasn't.
Every moment - each high and each low - was simply a step on the path to this moment.
Period.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
True success can't be defined by a moment. Neither can failure.
Success. Failure. It's all just part of the journey. Where I find myself today doesn't really matter in the big picture.
I can't linger in success and I shouldn't wallow in failure.
Every moment is simply a lesson. I can learn things from the moments of success that I can't learn from the moments of failure. And vice versa. I enjoy the moment or I endure the moment. But I know this - no moment is permanent. The moment moves on and so must I.
Feeling like a success today? Enjoy it. Learn the lesson. Move on.
Feeling like a failure today? Endure it. Learn the lesson. Move on.
Posted by
That ones getting printed. It's fabulous. Thanks for sharing (and for inspiring Craig)