@Aart — Thanks for stopping by!

I’m a big fan of Paulo Coelho! You will love this! He’s the first best-selling author to be distributing for free his works on his blog:
http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com

Have a nice day!

Aart

I love the concept of learning lessons from defeat (and sometimes more than from a victory). There’s a quote from Dr. David Elkind (a psychologist) that says, “We learn through experience and we learn through bad experiences. Through failure we learn how to cope.” It’s maybe not quite as uplifting as your take, but as someone who has suffered through depression and anxiety, it’s a reminder that if nothing else, the hard times teach us how to deal and get over the rough patches. Plus, they help us to better appreciate the good times and our successes.

Your site is really great. I look forward to reading more.

@Evelyn — Thank you. Sometimes as adults, I think we let our pride get in the way, and our attitude is affected. Well, mine is anyway.

@Michelle — I have watched that clip, and love it! After seeing it, I had a lot more respect for someone I only knew because my kids were reading her books. She is an inspiration and really showed her “don’t quit” attitude. Thanks for sharing the link here!

@Sara — Well, that’s an excellent point! The door may not really be closed, but it sure can look like it sometimes. And, as adults, that’s enough for us to consider it permanently closed.

@Davina — Thanks! We can sure learn a lot from our life’s experiences, if we just let ourselves, huh? It sounds like you’ve been learning much about yourself this year, as well. Good for you. I’m sure that will lead to the success you desire!

@Linda — Hey, it made it through!!! And thanks for building me up so much! I’ll check out the website, thanks for sharing.

@Barbara Ling — Well, I like that way of looking at it — like our guardian angel. Sometimes we just have to be hit in the head with this stuff I guess! Thanks for stopping by!

I’ve learned far more from defeat and failures than one would imagine…and every lesson built up my then-future success.

Data points, Barbara

You are a true champion in sharing your analysis of defeat — as a coach and as a human being!

This web site came to mind as I was reading: http://josephsoninstitute.org/sports/

We went through the process of youth sports with our son for many years and know well the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”

Hope this comment gets through. I just sent one similar & got that dang error message again. Fingers crossed, here goes .…

I get the feeling that you actually took more “learning” from that loss than you would have a “win”. So goes that old saying…“It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.”

I’ve failed big time this year. Started a business in January and haven’t had 1 client. But where I failed was in not knowing myself well enough and being connected to my passion. That was a big lesson.

I think defeat is easier for kids because their options are limitless. As adults, we may feel that each defeat is a permanently closed door. Often, I’m sure, that’s not the case and opportunities abound.