overlooking Okanagan lake

Spring makes me optimistic, and we all need that idea of more warmth and sunshine after winter’s long cold night and shorter daylight.

I had to face up to lack of success recently, not failure. I am learning to see the positive and accept the gift that not always succeeding brings.

I think it is sad that we shy away from doing or trying new things because we don’t already know we will succeed or believe that it will be easy for us.  Isn’t that robbing ourselves of kajillions of options?

The tragedy is not failure, the tragedy is not attempting. – Theodore Roosevelt

Recently in Toastmasters I competed in a speech contest and was not chosen to compete past the Division level. I walked away that day fighting the dark cloud on my shoulder called disappointment. Actually for me I had achieved a great deal. I have been a Toastmaster for years and never competed before, so I was in new territory, THAT”S FANTASTIC for me. I was encouraged by everyone and many people enjoyed my talk. I examined the results and realized I had achieved something positive. I know now the amount of rehearsal, and dedication it will take to get past this level of competition. I also learned the importance of vocal enthusiasm and variety.

sunsets were 5 Star

The clouds wanted to push their way in and rob me of my being thankful for certain but I remembered in time that here also was an opportunity to smile and encourage others to push their boundaries.

Life is not all about winning, it’s mostly about enjoying the journey and I grew as a result of my experience, I’m still going to celebrate, and I have grown.

I can see the Sun through the clouds, it was there all along – how did I forget?