And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent  in the ground.

Matthew 25:25

How often we crucify ourselves between two thieves: regret  for yesterday and fear of tomorrow. What a waste of  a  life!

I remember a time when I wanted to write a book, but I was afraid  I couldn’t do it. All I could see were those Bs and Cs that had come back from professors in college  when I thought  I should have gotten As. What if I didn’t have the stuff to be a writer? What if no one would read my book?

One day I woke up and realized I was facing the wrong enemy. Instead of being afraid of failing I should have been afraid of not trying.  The one who never risks anything is the ultimate failure.

Failure is not final, and it even provides some major benefits. Failure is a great educator. It certainly teaches us what doesn’t work. It develops and refines our skills, it helps us discover our true talents, and it makes us more sympathetic and less judgmental.

Each of us needs to make one good mistake a week-just as long as it isn’t the same mistake. Either we will be failure avoiders or success seekers. The choice is ours.

Prayer:  Lord, help  me to remember the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.