The Concept of Failing Forward

I subscribe to a newsletter from a company called Behance that is geared toward the creative artistic type.   A quote from a recent article by John Caddell caught my eye, “A mistake is a collision between your perception and reality. As such, it’s a terribly valuable asset.”  What we percieve as failure is often the catalyst to move us into new territory.  If something doesn’t work out, you are forced to consider other ideas, to come at something from a new angle.  


It is really kind of funny that I enjoy reading the articles in Behance since it is really geared for people who are completely different from me in personality.



The website tagline for Behance is “We empower creative professionals to make ideas happen.”  I first stumbled upon them through the program called Action Method Online.  While it is geared to the right brain type who is not as organized, the concepts can help those of us who are more left brained to stay on top of the multiple projects, whether personal or work related, that clutter our minds and lists.  The software has a free version, that I have used in my job to collaborate and manage projects.  I also love their “Action Notebook” – high quality and nicely laid out for keeping track of projects and notes.  

Pain

who knew pain could be so draining?  it’s seriously exhausting.  I hurt my back this week and it has been excruciating.  It takes all my energy and focus … trying to hold still when i find a position that is not uncomfortable (notice i did not say comfortable).  I cannot concentrate, cannot move, cannot rest.  It’s hard to focus on anything – the sermon on Sunday, the task I need to do at work, what items I should be accomplishing on my “to-do” list.

I don’t even know how this happened.  But it has given me a new perspective and a new empathy.  And I have realized again how often I fail to be thankful.  I take life and health for granted.  So I am asking God to continue to open my mind to things that He would teach me.