How to never fail at anything

“The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”

— Stephen McCranie  

Recently I encountered that quote, and, for a few moments, got worried. I was concerned that I had not in my life failed enough. As I pondered this, I couldn't think of any times I had failed at all.

Before you think that I am either crazy or crazily conceited, let me assure you that I have had countless things not go according to plan or preference. To cite a small sampling, I've

• ended relationships that had soured

• held classes that nobody came to

• squawked Verdi at an audition with a piece of apple lodged in my throat

• launched a dog-training business that never saw a single client

• concocted a batch of slow-cooked kidney beans too oniony to consume

So how can I claim never to have failed in life?

Here's my secret, which you're welcome to share: I simply don't consider any of these situations failures. Rather, I feel grateful to have succeeded at discovering what wasn't working for me.

To my mind, the only way I could actually fail would be to let any challenge keep me from jumping back into my life.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am cooking up another pot of kidney beans. They are likely to prove a huge success.