He failed in business at age 31, was defeated for the legislature at 32, failed again

     in business at 34.

    His sweetheart died when he was 35, and he had a nervous breakdown at age 36.

    He was defeated in election at age 38, and then was defeated for Congress at 43 and

    again at 46 and 48.

    He was defeated for the Senate at age 55 and for Vice President at 56, and for the

    Senate     again at 58.

    He was elected President of the United States at age 60.

    Who was this man?  It was Abraham Lincoln – who was certainly a success, not a failure.  Put into perspective, failing in something is just another opportunity for learning and growth, for finding out what works and what doesn't.  Looked at positively, you'd never learn if you didn't fail.  Or to put it even more strongly, you can't succeed unless you have failed before.  As Thomas Edison said of his many attempts to invent the electric light, "I have not failed.  I've found 10,000 ways that won't work."

    Probably nobody knows this better than sports celebrities.  Their abilities and reputations are put on the line in every game they play.  Basketball great Michael Jordan has said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games.  26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.  I've failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed."

    That is why it's so important to never be afraid to fail.  It's a necessary step to success – and a blessing in disguise.