July 2

Written by Bill Grandi on July 2nd, 2021

Bob Goff tells the story of Walt Disney (WD) which I suspect many of us have heard:

Before WD dreamed up Disneyland, he was fired from his job at a newspaper in Kansas City because his editor said he “lacked imagination.” Can you believe it? Whenever I’m at Tom Sawyer Island (note: his personal retreat), I think about what would’ve happened if WD had dug in his heels at the newspaper instead. The world would have never met Mickey Mouse. Failure forced WD to pursue his passion.  (p.224)

He went on to say elsewhere:

Our habits shape our days, and our days make up our lives. Without much thought, we can settle into routines that keep us stagnant for decades. (p.224)

While Mr. Goff went in one direction, I want to go in another. I want to talk about failure. It is something most, if not all of us, hate to discuss or consider. None of us go into a venture, no matter what it is, thinking we are going to fail at this. If so, it is wise not to even get started.

I recently read some quotes attributed to the late coach, Vince Lombardi:

“If you accept losing, you can’t win.”

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.”

There are more but these ought to suffice in making my point. Failure happens. But there is a big difference between thinking you are going to fail from right out-of-the-box and failing because you tried.  WD failed at his newspaper job, but did not allow it to curtail his dreams. There are many (and I know some) who are glad he didn’t give up.

Perhaps another quote by Mr. Lombardi will be a good ending:

It is essential to understand that battles are primarily won in the hearts of men.  It starts in ours.

“Father, help me to believe in Your dreams for me.  Help me not to cower in fear over seemingly overwhelming odds.”

Bob Goff’s quote from Live in Grace-Walking in Love.

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S. says:

    Most technologies, most great ideas, most innovations do not come from winning… They come from many many many failures where mistakes are learned corrected and overcome. I am working on a project now that we have been battling for nearly a month with failure after failure. Persistence will ultimately find success. And through the failures much will be learned. Good thoughts this morning Bill.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      That is an important way to look at it Ryan. Out of the failures will come success. I wish it for you soon.

  2. As I think we’ve touched on here before, Bill, we do learn more from our failures than from our successes. The key is to never give up, especially when we are following God’s passionate will for our lives.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Following God’s passionate will for our lives is the key and you put your finger on it Martha.

  3. Ed says:

    This is good. I know I’ve failed and given up so many times. Something someone told me once: “Whatever you do for Christ will never fail.”