What would constitute a ‘failure as a human being’?

One's definition of failure - Failure as a human being
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
September 13, 2010 1:21pm CST
I am feeling down today. So, whenever I am low and emotional like this, some questions creep into my mind. The question for the day is, what would make me a failure as a human being? If I chose to be a home-body and did not experience more of the world, does that mean I failed? If I did not influence a lot of people to do more good, does that constitute a failure? What if I did not stand up for myself, for all the things that I deserve, then did I lose? How about you? What’s your definition of failure?
6 people like this
22 responses
• United States
13 Sep 10
We as humans define ourselves so harshly and at best are worst enemies. See my friend life is about trying and no one earns success overnight. Therefore do not be so hard on yourself, and I know this is not easy as I too get into these slumps. You have to find a way to perk up some days and try, try again. Good Luck and be well.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
14 Sep 10
Thank you hardworkinggurl. If I am not mistaken, you've raised a discussion which is in not so many words, was among these lines too. And I am glad I responded to that because you've just re-paid the favor back is writing these kind words. I appreciate it.
• United States
14 Sep 10
You are very welcome and I love to learn from other on myLot and repay back as well. Great Day!
@formidexo (1351)
• Canada
14 Sep 10
We all have bad days. I'm sure you will be bouncing again. I think it works this way. If you think you are a failure then you're right And if you think you are a success, then you're right. It's all in our own perspective. So, look at yourself as a success. Think of all the positive things you have done and I'm sure there are plenty. And you will yet do plenty of more positive things.
2 people like this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
15 Sep 10
Thanks for the perspective idea. I guess one could always rationalize one's self a success if he chooses to. But even though I hate to say it, society has its way of measuring one's self worth. And it would be great if we could avoid the things that makes us failures in our endeavors to become good human beings. Thanks for dropping by.
@formidexo (1351)
• Canada
16 Sep 10
What do we care what the world thinks. At the end of the day it's how we feel and think that's important. We are all champions. Why should we allow the world to measure us?
• United States
14 Sep 10
I used to think i was a failure because I refuse to do what I thought others wanted me to do , i.e. go to college, or get married or have kids. since I could never see myself doing Any of these I considered myself a failure. and since I wasn't going to do these I thought after highschool, I promised my mom to graduate,I would die by my own hand! Thankfully , my mom Finally convince me All she wanted me to be is happy. No college, That's ok! No kids , ok! No Wedding? Hurray!! My mom hated weddings. So I don't look outside for the definition of a failure.I think failure is as personal as success. For me? I would consider myself a failure if I Didn't do my best at work, I didn't speak up when I Know I can right something that is wrong . Or when angered, I don't find the proper revenge! Bounce, you are not a failure! You have one of the hardest roles in life, being a parent. Do your kids love you? Do you spend time with them? Then you are not a failure!You are not a failure! Don't ever forget it!
2 people like this
• United States
16 Sep 10
You are so welcome. Being a good parent is the hardest thing to be . Don't worry about the revenge thing. That's me! I don't get mad , I get even so I Had to add it!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
15 Sep 10
Thanks Sarah! For the last paragraph of your response. It's funny how society determines what our lives should be. And that these constant bombardment of the 'ideal life' help determine the grade where people measure up passing or failing in their lives. I agree with everything you said in here about doing the best at work, and speaking up. Just not sure about the revenge thing, I still need to think about that! Thanks again Sarah.
1 person likes this
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
14 Sep 10
As long as you are learning, life is never a failure. This often times takes interaction with others. Do that even if it is only on the internet. At the point where learning is impossible for you or anyone around you, God will make a change. Life is a funny thing. Sometimes we never see what our actions really mean to others. You are more important to this world and the people around you than you know. Sometimes even something as little as a smile can change another's life.Keep the light in your eyes. You are special. You are meant to make a difference in this world and will.
2 people like this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
15 Sep 10
Thanks bird123! I never thought of that. That learning could be a measure of success. I guess when you continually strive to learn, there is a measure of success in it. As you try to avoid past mistakes, then you are being successful.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
15 Sep 10
My personal definition of failure would be that I never made an impact on someone's life during my life. I'm not one of those people that aspires to be the best or the brightest with any one thing. Instead, I'm the kind of person that wants to make the world better for people. It doesn't matter to me if it is one person that I have an impact on or several people, but I do know that I want to make a positive difference in other people's lives.
2 people like this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Sep 10
I dreamed about that when I was young. I wanted to make an impact on a lot of people so I could look at my life with a measure of success. But, as I grew up I realized it is not that easy. So, I've settled on my children. I would like to make the most impact on them as I could. Thanks.
@jennyze (7029)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 10
No, no, what you mentioned above did not make you fail as a human being. On the contrary, if you cannot feel any hurt, worry, anxious, sad, low, happy, anger then you loose your humanity.
2 people like this
• United States
13 Sep 10
There is no such thing as a "failure as a human being." Every human being has worth, was put here for a reason, and each of us has a purpose. God doesn't make mistakes. If He made you,-and He did-you're a masterpiece!! God loves us and He wants us to love us.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
15 Sep 10
Thank you browneyedgirl! Thanks for your perspective, and for reminding me that there is a purpose to life. And as long as we are still alive we could always work to make this seemingly failure of a life a success.
@eshaan (6188)
• India
18 Sep 10
hi bounce58 first of all i will advise you to have positive attitude to be successful..instead of thinking that what are the reasons of failure...think that what i should do to get success...its not necessary that you should influence others thinking and what they do...if you do your bit of thing its enough
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Sep 10
You're absolutely right! That it's just a matter of perspective. And yes, when I look at it from this view, which is concentrate on the failure aspect, it does look a bit difficult. I should have a more positive attitude. Thanks eshaan.
• Pamplona, Spain
29 Sep 10
Hiya bounce, Who was that Inventor that failed a thousand times before he perfected his system. I can´t remember who he was right now but if you think about it a thousand times is a lot of times to fail. Hey it was Thomas Alva Edison who said it was a 1,000 times he failed to get it right but he did not fail really as he invented another 1,000 ways of how not to make a ligth Bulb. That is what was going through my Head. He might seem to have failed but each time he did he learned another new thing of how to do it better the next time. If we fail as you call it we are just simply learning other ways to make it better for the next time. Although this is not about Inventors and all that it is the same principle you can apply to anything. Me I have felt a failure many times but I soon bounce back again ready to learn from "my failures". There ai´nt anyone in the World without them bounce.
1 person likes this
• Pamplona, Spain
4 Oct 10
Hiya bounce, Well I realize that too. But you just think that Edison was probably going at that light bulb hammer and tongue. He might have been trying a new thing every Day so a thousand times is not that many really and he did succeed. We don´t know exactly what he did because we were not there were we. He was very persistent that´s all tenacity was his middle name I think. I have known one or two like that they just don´t give up till they have gotten what they want and they persist Day in Day out so you who says you have´nt got a thousand times to try something out?
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
3 Oct 10
At first I wanted to say, that we only have one life, and unlike Edision, we don't have the luxury of a thousand tries to make our life work. But I've come to realize that maybe, living and failing all the time is our way of learning. In order for us to make it better human beings for ourselves. Thank you for the very insightful response.
@arystine (1273)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
For me, failure is when you give in to the trials and refuse to fight. When you let your sorrow overcome you that you refuse to move not just for your own sake, but also for the sake of the people who loves and cares for you. Life is a continuous battle. We must always remember that despite the tough times, we must fight because our loved ones will be greatly affected when we lose and be miserable.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
21 Sep 10
You shouldn't have responded to this discussion arystine, because this does not apply to you. I've already known that failure is not part of your vocabulary. That even though how many times you've been brought to the brink, you still came out well on the otherside. But thank you, just the same.
@arystine (1273)
• Philippines
8 Oct 10
Thanks for believing in me. :) Your words always make me feel better.
• Singapore
14 Sep 10
hey there bounce! When we are stressed and feeling, we tend to have negative thoughts and this makes our situation worse. We should instead try to make ourselves happy and positive. Back to your question of what constitute a failure as a human being, I think it would be one, if we fail to provide well for ourselves, whether in terms of basic necessities or our emotional and spiritual needs. Also, if we keep making the same mistakes over and over again without learning.
2 people like this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
15 Sep 10
Funny that you should mention about making the same mistake over and over again. I think I do, when it comes to matters of the heart. But no question there, I've accepted that already that I've failed in romance anyway. Buy yey! I still have hope as a human being. Thanks.
@aurorastorm (1131)
• United States
14 Sep 10
Do not ever let anyone or anything make you feel like a failure. I have been through many hard things, but when you come out of them you have survived and thus you are not a failure, but a survivor. I believe that as long as I am alive, I can change any situation and thus never believe that I am a failure. Failure only comes when you decide to quit trying.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Sep 10
It seems hard when everyone around reminds you how big a failure you are. It would be nice to survive all of these and come out on top at the end. Then you (I) could feel much stronger for having to go through all of it. Thanks aurorastorm!
• China
14 Sep 10
everyone has his own life in the world . so many people live here and there. no matter what you do , and what job you have . what 's your carrer.just do it well. then you can succeed yourself.there are not so many ways to choose for one people in the world . just choose one you live. try your best and you could get it . ok ? don't mind what you do ? ok ? just try it and with your best . then success is yours . best wishes.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
16 Sep 10
Like your username, I appreciate the enthusiasm in your response. I will try, and will live my life as best as I could. And hopefully success would be mine in the end. Thanks.
@jhyan007 (467)
• Philippines
14 Sep 10
...i believe failure doesn't exist..so long as you never give up on something, most specially your dreams and goals in life, failure will not exist and never will...there are just choices in our life, we choose one thing over the other, but that does not constitute that we are a failure...
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
16 Sep 10
Great attitude jhayn007! It gives hope to the rest of us who are a bit down, or not feeling to good upon ourselves. It could just have been choices that we've made. And as long as we're breathing, success is still achievable. Thanks!
• United States
14 Sep 10
Sounds like depression, start asking yourself questions when you can. Okay, to me failure is when you don't live life the way you feel that you should. Meaning, you should live your life to the fullest. Do as much as you can with your life while you still can. I have days where I feel depressed as well, but I still try to get up and do something. I still try to do what I need to do and have to do. You never really fail, but you fail to do something. Find something that makes you happy. Find something that fulfills your life. Just get out and do something.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
16 Sep 10
That is a comforting idea! That I could never fail if I just did something. I guess that is better than the alternate, which is doing nothing. Which could really lead to depression. Thanks!
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
14 Sep 10
i don't think that is what constitute a failure. i think no one is a failure. kids, adults... i would say if we come to terms with ourselves, know our potential, know what we can, or cannot do - we are as successful as the famous people we know...
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
16 Sep 10
But the question is how would we know our potential? Knowing that would mean there is some sort of measure that we look up to. And who's to say that if we don't measure up against it, we could still be successful. But, thanks. I hear ya! I know what you're saying. And I appreciate your response.
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
14 Sep 10
Failure... I have attributed my life with this word before a few years during months of continued depression after I was ditched... Every human feels this way at times... And the reason are different for every one , everytime... Hence the definition varies all the time... According to me, when one is not happy with one's own life, it means failure... :( Pray to Heavens that no one goes through such feelings ever...
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
19 Sep 10
Very well said!!! It would so convenient if no one went through it... It is the worst of all.. :(
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Sep 10
I've been in that position before... getting ditched! And it did feel like a failure. Thankfully I was able to pull myself out of it, and have become a better person for it. It would be more convenient though, if no one really has to go through it. Thanks mr_pearl!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
14 Sep 10
I don't really have a definition for failing as a human. Being human may mean that we witness failures and disappointments but we are never failures. There are the cases where people resort to crimes but, even then, it is only the murderers and the rapists that I feel have failed the human race. There is really no losing or winning in my opinion. There are so many different levels of these two things that there is no way to truely classify them. One person's loss is another's triumph. It just depends on the shoes your wearing. I think that it is what you believe on a personal level that really matters.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
19 Sep 10
Sometimes our confidence are erroded by all the negative things that happen in our lives. And that causes our beliefs to be shaken, and our view of success and failure in life be more defined. Thanks for the response JenInTN!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
14 Sep 10
A failure as a human being would have to be an enormous thing. it would mean never caring about another person and tnever trying to achieve anything good in this world. Failing as a human being is just failing at life.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
18 Sep 10
Hello sender621. I hope I never have to realize that. That I didn't achieve anything, and that I didn't care for anybody else. Thanks.
• Philippines
14 Sep 10
I couldn't define myself as failure as human being because everyone of us has our own imperfections.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
16 Sep 10
Simplistic, but true. Thanks.