“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” ~Michael Jordan
Murphy is alive and well. He’s definitely out there; everywhere you don’t look and everywhere you do. Old Man Murphy has a funny way of making us all go a little crazy from time to time. The most perfect situation always contains fallibility at Murphy’s hand; at the mercy of his law. This happens to everyone, here in the sphere of failure.
Murphy’s Law states: “What can go wrong, will go wrong.” Many know this law all too well, no matter what goals you’ve tried to achieve, there are certainly a few that fell short, or were never realized. I’ve personally made many mistakes and fell short on many goals–more than I can count–but, I own them. I accept them as lessons and learn from them. In the process of failure I grow wiser and stronger in both mind and spirit. In this sphere I find more resolve to push forward, and so should we all.
In baseball, we are taught to step to the plate and take a stance. Keep your eye on the ball, step, swing and follow through. In little league, I was the champion at the perfect form of baseball. I made many runs, RBI’s and homeruns. It wasn’t until I was introduced to fast-pitch ball did I fall short; and live my first experience with failure.
I found that I was afraid of the ball. Young pitchers throw erratically and can’t aim very well. I was scared to get hit, so I never stepped close enough to the plate to swing properly. What’s more, I stopped swinging altogether. I figured I would just strike out, or get walked, and in the worse case scenario get hit and take a base.
I learned much later what this valuable lesson had taught me. Life hits hard, and it will keep hitting until you stop and say: Enough. Or, you’ll remain scared to get hit, and never step up.
Until you stand tall at the plate and lay your life before the world, you will not succeed. Nobody is given a trophy in the shadow of fear; in fear of failure or pain. Progress is never made when one chooses to stand idly by. Our most important lessons are learned from trying and failing, from getting hit and getting back up. You have to feel the impact of life for it to move you. It can and will hit like a truck, but you can hit back even harder should you choose. There is always a path to success, no matter what you’re trying to accomplish.
In the sphere of failure, don’t shun the prowess of it. Don’t hide from it, and don’t shy away from its fist. Learn from it, and accept that it is there. Know that you will get hit, and there will be obstacles. In misery and failure we tie our strongest bonds and learn our greatest lessons.
As for getting hit with the ball; it only stings for a little while. Just rub a little dirt on it and get back in the game.
HeartSphere 
Thank you for the reminder!
Failure is a true gift. Something I didn’t believe until the last few years because I was always chasing perfection. Great blog. You’ve always have something to say that seems pertinent to me.
Sue Bock
http://bestlifeafterbreastcancer.com
http://couragetoadventure.com
http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
*laughs* Oh, yes. I am already well acquainted with Murphy…although mostly in his somewhat lesser known persona Trickster. The one who falls so that we can learn to fly. The one who shows us where the rules are, by breaking them. The one who dares to fail, and rise again, and fail once more, in an endless cycle. All to teach us that failure is more than tolerable, it is to be welcomed. It is a step on the path, like everything else. Oh, yes, Murphy and I are old acquaintances. And older enemies. 😛
We all know Murphy. Some know him all to well.
Far out! he missed 9,000 shots. That’s incredible. Imagine how many he didn’t miss 🙂
Reblogged this on Adam Wydeman's Blog and commented:
Great post from knowthesphere!
Great post my friend!! Keep up the inspiration! REFUZE…
Sometimes things go wrong and we simply have no control over what happens, like having a child become ill with a chronic disease. But we do become braver and stronger when “life hits hard”…and we just keep on going and face our fears. Another nice piece of writing, thanks.
Indeed this is true.. Thank you.
Well said…..you are wiser beyond your years.
True. I try to keep Murphy in mind, so when things do go wrong it’s not so bad. I knew it might happen and hey, here’s a new plan.
I am always runninga round bruised but at least happy for trying
Inspiring 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Great post…failure is the first step to success..
Awesome
A great reminder. Thanks!
Thanks! Just what I needed to read this morning! You write well!
We all need to read and remember this from time to time. Thank you.
I like the points you make. Jay
This is wise, your words are touching and real.
I chose to be out of the comfort zone cause it scares me, but it keeps me alive
( not easy sometimes)
😉
Thank you. We all have our comfort zones, some step outside from time to time, others don’t. Either way, whatever works best is best. 😉
no sure what works
but we have to dream, fly and follow our guts and passion for life
( trying not to heart anybody in the way)
I’m just a guy with a limerick reply…
Murphy made lots of strange laws,
They’re true. They rarely have flaws;
They work for us all,
We all take the fall,
Is it fate or the luck of the draws?
Compliments of Humorous Interludes
Nicely done! I am glad your space invaded my eyes.
What if there is no way to such a success in our eyes. This notion that if you keep fighting you’ll eventually get there. I’m not sure if that’s absolute truth. You may spend your whole life exhausting the reality that we were meant for greatness, to achieve something beyond our grasp. But truth is you more than likely won’t get there. Until we’re perfected in death of course. Great post!!
Its not about greatness, being great or fighting. Its simply about knowing that failure is a part of life, no matter the goal. Success at anything comes with perseverance beyond failure.
I love your blog. This post is one of my favorites. You messed up my stereotype of a Marine.
Haha! Yes, we’re not all robotic.
We can’t work on fear. False evidence appearing real, nothing more. Thanks for your reflection.
Reblogged this on Confessions of an Apple Junkie and commented:
Seriously..If you haven’t subscribed to this Blogger..you should..inspirational words every day 🙂
Enjoy!
Good use of analogy… and baseball is one of the best. The best hitters in the world only succeed, on average, about 3.5 times out of ten. A humbling experience for any who play the games…. beisbol or life….. Over 65 likes when I stopped in, and well deserved, every one….
It is all so very true. Murphy’s Law is what keeps everything running smoothly and helps those who keep an eye open from failing horribly.
Without failure, we cannot have success. 🙂
Reblogged this on Candace Gauger and commented:
Pure and simple is what this truth is.
And despite our fears, the absolute worst thing to happen to us can be the best thing to happen to us. We just have to be willing to let it work. Extremely well written – and I can tell it comes from a heart that knows.
Good lesson to live by!
I love these words:
“I learned much later what this valuable lesson had taught me. Life hits hard, and it will keep hitting until you stop and say: Enough. Or, you’ll remain scared to get hit, and never step up.”
The last 6 years are making me less afraid to step up to the base and swing. I am learning how to make that split second decision to move out of the way of the wild pitch. Thanks for your thoughts. Consistently love reading your words.
Amazing post. Thank you for sharing. Also, thanks for visiting!
Thanks for a great post!