Failing Forward and Aging

I recently read John Maxwell's "Failing Forward". What a motivational book! I invite you to apply the principles he uses. The subtitle is "turning mistakes into stepping stones for success". How many of us wish we could do that? What mistakes have you made that you would give just about anything to undo?


The point he makes over and over again is that WE cause ourselves so much pain and grief by living and re-living these mistakes in our minds over and over and over...causing much of our own heartache. We have to reach outside ourselves and find lessons, then take them to heart...and then, and only then are we able to finally lay the mistake to rest and move on.


It's all in how we look at experiences that affect our futures. If we fixate on particular events (and who is ever fixated on something good?), we need to focus on the LESSON rather than the FAILURE. Everyone has negative things happen to them, but Maxwell says that if we act negatively, then continually replay these events in our minds...that is what causes failure...and more failures heaped on top of that one!


Maxwell talks about Thomas Edison (remember that he failed so many times that it's nearly un-countable!) by saying that Edison believed that failure is actually conceit. "People don't work hard because in their conceit, they imagine they succeed without ever making an effort." I have seen this so many times with girls and guys that want to work from home. They love the idea of working with a team of successful people, but they forget that one little "four letter word"...WORK.


So, what does all this have to do with aging gracefully...or not at all? Well, if we have a happy, positive outlook on life, it can't help but give us positive, energizing thoughts. Those thoughts have magic! In our appearance, in our carriage, and actually CAUSE us to feel successful and contented. If you don't believe me, then you need to read more, and hey...get the DVD "The Secret" and then we'll talk!