How You Approach Failure Defines Your Success.

There’s nothing to lose if you’re not afraid to try.

Working with middle schoolers, I’m always enamored by how much their youthful minds effortlessly inspire. I was sitting at the table with Crystal, and she was telling me the “chisme” on her newest crush.

“I like him a lot, and I’ve liked him for a while. I wanted to ask him out on Valentine’s Day, but he didn’t come to school…”

(Oh, the quarrels of young love).

Giving her my ears and attention, I decided to chime in,

“Well, how about talking to him about it the next time you see him? What do you have to lose?”

She flashed my a quick glance and her cheeks began to broaden.

“I don’t have anything to lose! We’re either going to end up together, or I’ll finally know how he really feels about me.”

With her own insightfulness, it was evident that Crystal’s perspective on life shifted to a more courageous tone.

We could all be more like Crystal.

Despite being only 12 years old, I know that Crystal will be successful in life. She is someone who exhibits confidence that is silent, yet pronounced in action.

She is not afraid to try new things, and with each misstep; she learns. She’s exhibited this power in her academics, and has evolved into a diligent student through the intrinsic motivation to improve. With her love life, she is unafraid to go after what she wants. Crystal doesn’t fear what “failure” means because she doesn’t attach any weight to what disappointment failure could bring.

Instead, Crystal celebrates the notion of trying.

She sees the infinite abundance in life. She dances to the rhythm of potential. She recognizes the glory of “shooting your shot.”

In that earlier moment with Crystal, I was impressed by her words of wisdom. It evoked a warmth within my heart, for her mentor had become the mentee.

I carry Crystal’s optimism with me from here on out: I see the world as an oyster, with my goals being the pearl. I know that I can achieve so long as I try; trying is our first step to success.

Failure is not something to be scared of. It is something that exists to help us grow. Through all of our wrong turns are we able to find our right paths.

Success is already here. You just have to put yourself out there to receive it. If Crystal can do it at 12 years old, so can you.