Defining Failure

The argument could go in many directions. Only two count.  Either a person is a success or a failure. There may be middle ground that counts but most people chalk up life as a positive or a negative.

Missing is a ruling definition of either term.

If a great score card in the sky exists (it probably doesn’t!) there is a mid-point that stands for nil, or non-value. A little or a lot to one side or the other has to be in the plus or minus zone. Minus I guess means ‘failure’ while plus equates to success.

Of course degrees of both exist: fabulous success, dismal flop, you get the idea.

But how is it measured in the first place. Is success happiness while failure is unhappiness? Is a good turnout measured in dollars held in a bank account, or the size of the home or the value of the car driven? Is failure the opposite of these accounts? No money in the bank or large debt, hovel of a home or no car or a jalopy that often doesn’t start? What will it be? What is the measure of success or failure?

Every major religion I’m acquainted with avoids terms of wealth or material things. Rather they focus on spirit, mood, relationships, power or influence to help others, reduce  suffering among others, that sort of thing. Material things can make a difference and are marshaled to build homes for the poor, medical clinics for those without insurance or funds to pay for medical attention. Feed the hungry and teach people to fish so they can feed themselves and others. We remember the parables. We know the lessons of life.

What is important? What matters the most? Who can tell, or more importantly, who has the authority to sum up the value of another’s life?

Certainly disappointments in life happen. Things turn out differently than we had thought or hoped. Sometimes end results are grossly different than what we prepared for. And earned.

But the latter isn’t a good yardstick. What a person earns is not what they necessary get. No; they get what they can handle and that alone becomes a good measure of the stuff the person is made of. Can I handle adversity? Can I handle disappointment? What about poor health or periods of declining health? Disappearing bank accounts? Rusting aging autos?

In handling adversity do I avoid it? Or attempt to deflect its impact? Do I cover it up with false fronts or even use of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, gambling, whatever is handy? Or do I face the perils and accept them as routine and live with them? Do I let them control my life? Or do I adopt lifestyles that cover my avoidance?

Either is fakery. Neither is honest. Facing the music and learning the lessons of life are healthy and bring riches and success of another variety. That’s when things of the spirit, the inner person, come to light. Philosophy and fresh expressions come to mind. Art forms bristle to the surface of consciousness.  We begin to appreciate the little things which turn out to be not so little. Things like birds flitting with freedom through tree limbs and bushes, from flower to flower. Birdsong that trills joy and celebration. Smells from the earth which define rebirth and plant growth. Colors of nature replace the winter drab and soon spring brings greens of many hues.

Poetry emerges from our pens and keyboards. New novels take shape. newspaper columns or scripts for TV programs or dramas take root and come into being. Fertile minds come from life lived not leisure. Ideas come from working the brain cells not letting them idle uselessly.

Money buys food and shelter and clothing. And of course medical care and health. But money does not feed the brain. Money can pay to support investment in the ideas of others. Money can build educational systems and new roadways, jobs and vocations for others. But money does not create from nothing. Only the mind does that.

So bricks and mortar can form an envelope which nurtures inhabitants. But the envelope itself does not create. The person makes what he will of his surroundings. If drab and uninspiring he takes a walk to a woods or park, or visits a museum or library. He walks among the environment and gathers inspiration. He does not lounge in his poor abode and think inward thoughts to inspire the world.

Rather he uses the little he has to make something more valuable. From within.

What value do we lend to this quality of living? What measure of success do we ascribe to this person? Is he – or she – of value to the rest of us?

Who is to say?

March 21, 2013