The other morning I was listening to Jian Ghomeshi interview J.K. Rowling about her new novel “Casual Vacancy” and she said something that struck me, “You have to be free to fail in this life.” She pointed out our creative work should never be an imitation of our previous selves and then we have to be willing to take chances in order to evolve in our work. 
I know we are all destined to fall on our face from time to time but sometimes the fall is life’s greatest lesson. We grow and learn from our mistakes which propel us to move forward to take the next chance, work hard, and embrace lady luck.
We have the freedom to move forward and know that there are a world of possibilities.
We all face challenges and obstacles but how we rise above these is the common testament to our strength, will, and creative spirit. So at the start of 2013 I will begin my 365 Day Blog Project and smile knowing that is one small project which may succeed or fail. But that is all up to me!
Do you believe a life well lived is one from learning from our failures?
I do! J.K. Rowling’s words about failure are some of the most inspirational there are. One in particular moves me when I’m assessing whether or not to take a risk:
It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.
Have you read her Harvard commencement speech, in great part an address of failure? It’s been months since I first read it, and it still moves me. So powerful.
I love that quote and they are words to hold close to the heart. I have not read her commencement speech but will check it out over the weekend. I look forward to it!
Good luck with your project! Hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year!
Thank you! Wish you and your loved ones the best in 2013!
Q: Do you believe a life well lived is one from learning from our failures?
A: YES. How else are you going to get better at something if you don’t learn about what you did wrong? Not to mention it’d be a pretty dull life if you never made any mistakes.
It would be a very dull life it we didn’t make several mistakes.
Pingback: falls and rises. « Sick with Poetry.
Good luck, Belle! I fall on my face, often – usually with an audience. Sometimes I laugh along with them, sometimes I’m speechless and redfaced and hopeful that the earth will open up beneath my feet and swallow me whole. The older I get, though, the better I get at laughing at myself. So I guess I’m learning something!
Me too! Laughter is the best policy and gets us through some of the most taxing moments!
Even though I don’t think you need it…Good Luck! And have a Happy New Year!
Thank you! I hope you are kicking the New Year off in style this week!
I think doing something we might never have attempted gets us further than never trying in the first place, regardless of the outcome.
Lucky 2013 to you, Darcie.
So true! Sometimes the outcome is even better than expected and out of the blue.
Best of luck Belle! Falling on your face isn’t wrong. Staying there with your mug planted in the concrete afterwards is =)
Thank you, Mr. T! I hope there is a helping hand to pull me up!
Absolutely need the falls & dings in life otherwise what a boring life we would have.
Happy New Year & all the best in 2013!
It really would be boring and predictable! We only have one life to live and it’s best to seize the day!
I believe a life well lived is one where not only do we learn from our own mistakes, but although from that of others. That we should always be challenging ourselves to be better than we were before (be it a blog365 project, taking up photography classes, running a marathon for the first time, or learning Italian). Our lives are sum of all the different experiences that we have, whether we choose them or not, and whenever possible, we should use our resources to be part of experiences that will shape up and expand our horizons, to make us bigger people (in heart & mind).
Happy New Year Darcie!
felicia
Beautiful, Felicia! May your heart and spirit overflow with love in 2013!
Good luck with your project. I’m working on a photo a day type project want to have it up and running by the end of the week… My own little project to succeed or fail!
Yippee! I can’t wait to check it out! I will be cheering you on from the sidelines
I definitely believe that the lessons in life, even if at first seem like “failures”, are how you learn and grow and become, hopefully, a better human being. I like to say, “Anything worth doing will take time.” Losing weight took me (and still is) years. Did I want instantaneous results? Sure. However, I constantly reminded myself that I didn’t put the weight on overnight and it wasn’t coming off overnight either.
Running was a challenge and remains a challenge. Working out most days of the week is a challenge. I make mistakes (overdoing it or not doing it at all). I fall off the fitness wagon. But, I get back on and start again and learn the lesson I need to, even if it’s a repeat lesson.
Life is an education.
Life is an education and things do take time in life. It’s how we move forward that is key to getting to where we want to go. Wishing you the best on your fitness journey – I know how hard it is and struggle just like you.
Wow Darcie… what an ambitious New Year’s resolution! Good luck with your blog project! I love your blog, so I will come by and visit as often as I can!
Thank you, Silva! I wish you the best in New Year and look forward to visiting you too!
Failing is so not fun, but it is a great way to learn (if you are willing to admit you failed and learn from it)
It’s one way to learn,accept,and move forward without kicking ourselves too hard.
Belle, I think this is a quite wonderful post. Being free to fail: it’s being free to create because mistakes are an integral part of growing to an understanding of what it is we want to create. I loved this. Off to share it as widely as I can.
Thank you, Kate! It is a part of growing and discovering we want to create. It is only one small part of our journey.
good luck and happy new year!
Thank you! Wishing you the best in 2013!
Yes, I usually learn a lot from my failures. Some more than others though.
Me too
OH, yes, Darcie, I strongly believe that we can learn from our mistakes. And you know the other saying: “Those that DON’T learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them.” I am trying to learn and challenging myself to step out and not be afraid. I am afraid of failing, of course, but I am not giving up. Not yet!
Happy New Years Amiga!!!
I think you are doing a wonderful job challenging yourself with you new book and recent vlog. I love it! I can’t ever imagine you giving up! You are too talented!
You are most kind and generous with your feelings, Darcie. Thank you! You have put a smile on my face today.
Cheers to 2013!
I always hope I learn from my failures, although there seems to be a bit of a backlog in this department. I was very interested in J.K. Rowling’s comment
I may have some backlog too
It was a very interesting interview from start to finish. If you get a minute to check it out I think you would enjoy it.