We are living in a cruel, highly competitive world which refuses failures and mistakes. Yet these have been part and parcel of life since creation. It is human nature to make mistakes and he who does not is most probably doing nothing in his life. Yet mistakes and failures are not to be taken for granted, they stand as experience for future improvement not only for the one who commits them but for the whole of humanity.

Failure is but success turned inside out. One should never be discouraged when one meets with it, but should rather analyse its causes, amend accordingly, and start afresh with renewed self confidence.

Sometimes in spite of doing one’s level best, one still fails because of circumstances which are beyond one’s control for example weather problems, people’s lack of support, sickness etc. These are challenges one should prepare to face in life and that’s what spices it up.

Prayers are conversations with God. They do not necessarily remove all obstacles that we might face during our life. Sometimes little failures lead to great successes. God has his ways, we sometimes fail to conceive. We should only confide in him and ask for his light to give the best of ourselves. We of course can ask for his guidance and assistance in our endeavours but we should not expect all our prayers to be answered as per our requests, this would have been too easy. Keeping faith in good and bad times is all – important. Failures should not diminish your faith but rather strengthen it because you know you are not alone.

There was once a very stubborn and courageous young Genoese sailor named Christopher Columbus who was convinced that sailing westward from Europe would lead to the eastern coast of Asia.

Though a globe shaped world was not a popular idea in the 15th century, Columbus was convinced it was so, therefore he presented his project to the Portuguese king John II who refused to finance him. This did not discourage him. He was confident that someday, some monarch would help him in his project and that’s what happened ! Eight years later, the king and queen of Spain helped Columbus in his endeavour. He sailed off from the Canary Islands and in spite of all doubts and difficulties faced in the unknown seas, he never lost faith and finally landed at San Salvador, convinced he had reached the coast of India. Persistent in his mistake, he explored the neighboring islands which he called the Indies! Until today they are known as the West Indies.

Though he had discovered the route to America, the New World, Columbus died on 20 May 1506 without knowing it. Amerigo Vespucci explored the very large continent which is named after him, though Columbus risked his life in his erroneous adventure...

That’s life – sometimes some mistakes lead to great successes which are reaped by someone else.

There are some known mistakes which are however repeated through lack of will, like tobacco smoking, a habit imported from America to the rest of the world thanks to Columbus. The only difference is that the Indians smoked tobacco only on special occasions.

The secret of happiness is to give the best of oneself everyday, learn from mistakes, accept failures and learn from them ,trust in God, leave a space for luck and ...be content.

Alain Jeannot