ATYCHIPHOBIC NO MORE

Last Sunday, June 2, 2013, I spoke to our church's youth group about handling failures.

I was hesitant at first upon learning the topic they assigned to me. But me being me, as much as possible, I don't want to just back out from a challenge, especially one given by my pastor. 

So I accepted the challenge, while inside my head, worry and light atychiphobia (fear of failing) is bugging me. Do I have 'k' (as in karapatan) to talk about handling failures when I myself have made a lot of misjudgments and mistakes--and I haven't completely forgiven my self for doing all those.

But God is good. And He is omniscient. I believe He had planned for this topic to be given to me so He could speak to me while I was doing my research. 

Anyways, I just want to share these things I learned from my research (mostly from Ptr. Ed Lapiz's book and Nick Vujicic's testimony). 

I know as writers--whether you're a newbie or pro--you may have failed, too. Is it a rejection of a manuscript? Is it a negative comment from a critic? Whatever it is about, don't let your failure discourage you.  

Here are the steps on how, according to Pastor Ed, we should handle a failure.

1. ASSESS THE FAILURE.

More often than not, failure is nothing but a negative outlook in life. We lose sight of what's more important because we focus too much on what our eyes can see, rather than wondering about the truth beneath the surface. But the only difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is perspective.

What's beneath the surface has more weight.

2.  REPAIR AND LIMIT THE DAMAGES.

• Forgive those who have failed you. It is possible that you are the source of other people's failures, so ask for their forgiveness. Restore relationships. Your family, your friends, the relationships you have with other people---these are more important than any material thing--than any success you could ever have.

3. STUDY, PRACTICE AND IMPROVE. 

Make use of your failure to be a better person. Turn  obstacle into opportunity. "Failure is education," according to Nick Vujicic. The more you fail, the more you will learn. 

3. TRY AGAIN. 

Quitters never win so don't just give up. Here are some quotes I've collected about trying again.

• "It is hard to fail, bit it is worse to never have tried to succeed." - Theodore Roosevelt
• "Why do we fall? So we can pick ourselves up?" - Thomas Wayne (Batman Begins)
• "I've failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan
• "Never say die." - Ginebra Kings

-  Journey :)

• "Never say nev---

Okay, that's enough. I think you got my point already.

4. BE POSITIVE.

Be thankful of the things you have and stop complaining about the things you don't have. Concentrate on the things that you can change or improve. Stop comparing yourself to other people.

Nick Vujicic said, "Life is not about what is happening to you, but how you react to it." It all depends on you. 

I pray you'll find encouragement in this entry. Let me end this with a quote that my brain cells were able to conjure a few hours before my talk last Sunday: 

                                  "Failure may be inevitable, but it is never invincible." 

Good day, everyone!