I wasn’t planning on writing this post, especially at this time of the night. Here I am however, struck by the after effects of the flu, coughing, wheezing, and praying to god that I can get to sleep soon. So what is it on my mind as the night quickly turns into the day? Failure.
If you haven’t failed, you haven’t lived. When I think of failure, I split it into two categories. There are those who fail, accept failure, and stop trying. And there are those who fail, and fail, and fail, and fail, and continue to do so with a vision in their mind of success. These individuals know that one day, success will come. I was thinking today while I was in the gym getting ready to warm up for one of the hardest back workouts I have ever done…”what will I say to those who accuse me of cheating or of doing steroids etc when 73 days from now I have a completely new and ripped physique?” I thought about this for a short while, and realized one of my first instincts was to think about Thomas Edison. People told him that there was no future in electric light and that he was wasting his time. People especially reminded him of this fact after he failed over 10,000 times to create the lightbulb. However, Edison responded to a reporter one day inquiring into his failures that he hadn’t failed, but successfully identified many ways that creating the lightbulb won’t work. And this is what I will say. It wasn’t that I didn’t want it bad enough, or thought that it was worthwhile, it was that I was finding ways it wasn’t going to happen for me. I finally landed on a way that so far is working incredibly well. Last Sunday I spent 2 hours cooking, grading, and calculating all my meals for the week. It is all inside my fridge right now and all I have to do is heat up the parts that need heating and I have a delicious meal that I can eat over and over again. Most of the time, I can’t even finishing eating what I have designated myself to eat. From Sunday, I have become much more relaxed about food during the day and move about not having to worry what I am going to eat. I have prepared myself in a powerful way for the week, and I am achieving what I set out to do. There is no better feeling.
March is dedicated to transformation. To making significant strides towards achieving my goals and starting my career after school ends. It is absolutely certain in my heart that what the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. No one has to believe it but you. The times where I find myself in a funk and a bad attitude are the times when I am not living in a world of possibility. Those times are constricted, “that’s just the way things are” pretty much describes those times. What is crucial however is to believe that something different can happen in the world that is against the grain of how many thousands of years humanity has been around. I believe that the secret to happiness is working on my passion. That is when I am most happy, and that is when I am most powerful. Someone the other day asked me when I am most inspired…and after thinking about it for a while, I answer, “When I see someone else living an unconditional life.” They looked slightly puzzled at me for a while, and then I explained. ‘An unconditional life is a life without boundaries. There are no buts, cant’s, will not’s, reasons, etc. This type of life is one where anything can happen. Everyone by the grace of the gods was given two envelopes in life. One envelope is filled with the talents and skills you were born with. Everyone has opened up this envelope and is living the way they are currently. The other envelope has the mind inside. When you choose to take control and use the power of the mind, you have unlocked one of the greatest powers in the world.” I then apologized for giving a short answer…and then laughed.
How are you living your life? I can tell you that I have just started to scratch the adhesive off the second envelope. One of my teachers told me to always think outside the box…but you first must know what is inside the box. I think this is one of the greatest pieces of advice I have ever been given. I have failed over and over again. I know exactly what is inside my box. And now that I know what is inside, I can think outside of it.
Evan Sanders
The Better Man Project
“The times where I find myself in a funk and a bad attitude are the times when I am not living in a world of possibility.”
This truly resonates with my spirit. Life is so full of endless possibilities if we would only open our eyes a little wider, much like a child does each day. Thanks for opening my eyes again, today. You are an inspiration.
This is incredible advice: know what is inside your box. My partner and I recently had to part ways with someone who was wanting to work outside the box, but refused to acknowledge what was inside the box. This is reckless and foolish and thinking only with the heart and not the head. Wisdom is the heart and head combined. Both are needed for true evolving. As always, thank you for your post.
It almost sounds like you’re talking about ESP when you make your case for an unconditional life.
And maybe it is ESP. The power of belief in oneself is quite the extrasensory power, although perhaps not in the more conventional sense of it.
EXACTLY. We can’t spend too much time worrying about what this person or that might not like, or we spend the rest of our lives wondering what it was that person might not have liked about what we might have done. If we enjoy what we’re doing, those who don’t like it…sorry, but that can’t be our problem.
“Failing’s Okay. Not trying Isn’t.”
~Andy Kaufman!
AMEN! I need some of that infectious DETERMINATION. I’m fine once I’m going. It’s the GETTING GOING that I have a hard time with!
Awesome!
Ahh that second envelope. I have found there was more in there than I ever could have dreamed. Thanks for the encouraging word!
Reblogged this on whatsup23 and commented:
I think I’m a fail, fail, fail, and continue type of person!
Fantastic post, full of good insight and some powerful reminders. Your determination is infectious!
Great thoughts!
Very profound thoughts! I liked the Thomas Edison part & of course knowing whats inside the box!!
It`s a pleasure to read your blog- never lose hope: no one is perfect and life is a journey really….we all learn more about ourselves and life in general, as we go along!
My motto is always to do good and try to help others and maybe others will help us in return- the human chain!
True words spoken, as always.
Thank you for your inspiring post, I try to push my boundaries everyday, some times it’s rewarding, sometimes just plain exhausting, but it certainly makes life more interesting!
My pet peeve is when people say “Think outside the box”, you step in to another box that isn’t necessarily a better one.. Your point is well taken. One must know “the box” he or she is in before diving into another one. Thank you for a great post and speedy recovery 😀
Great post!
When you are really down and struggling, you will be amazed at what you can do if you just keep your head down and push forward. I am at one of those points currently but one would never know. Only action can solve problems, not complaining.
Thanks and keep pushing forward!
Well done as always. About 14 mos ago I decided to better myself an embark on a 90 day challenge as well. Now a little over a year later I am so thankful that I did it and have maintained that “new me”. Congrats to you and keep pushing…it’s worth it.
I love that idea that you can’t think outside of the box until you know what is inside the box. Another beautiful posting.
Hi! I really love each and every one of your posts! They’re really inspirational and motivating!
I also have a blog on here and I was wondering if you would let me interview you? It would be a great experience for me. Please let me know if you’re interested by contacting me at: spreadlove2611@gmail.com
Thank you and please keep inspiring us, men and women.
most inspirational blog till now from your side.Unlock the closed doors,don’t be afraid because remember if you don’t try you won’t succeed.