Artist Living

Fail Upward from Oprah's Magazine!

Me Ra Koh

It’s been an interesting couple of months in the airports. Magazines seem to jump out at me with titles that hold inspiration inside vs crazy Hollywood breakups. Time magazine last week was AWESOME–all about the endless possibilities for entrepreneurs despite the economy. This week’s Time has Twitter on the cover. And then Oprah, well, she always has good stuff.

I read this on my way back from San Francisco Friday night. I had to share it with you. It seemed to be the best way to start our Monday morning;

Note to Self: Fail Upward

“All great champions, most of whom are optimists, have become great because of–not in spite of–great adversity. Michael Jordan, a perennial optimist, once said, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game’s wining shot…and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.’ If ever there was a case for optimism, this is it.”

-Robert Mack in Happiness From the Inside Out: The Art and Science of Fulfillment

Wishing all my “perennial optimist” friends a wonderful Monday. If you find yourself failing, be encouraged. You’re not alone. In fact, your among the greats.

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  1. lora says:

    Thank you Me Ra and Happy monday to you…and I consider you to be as inspirational as Oprah, and I still want to see you on her show one day! 🙂

  2. Pamela S. says:

    thanks, Me Ra!

  3. Janessa says:

    There is no better way to learn than to make mistakes. No regrets… only lessons for the future.

    Thanks for the reminder 🙂

  4. Jo LeFlufy says:

    Thanks Me Ra. I love that and it is SO true. Have a Happy Monday as well.

  5. Allison says:

    Me Ra – I’ve been reading “Failing Forward” and it has the same message. It’s all on what you do and think about “failure” that helps you move to the next stage in your life. Great Monday post! Thanks for the inspriration.

  6. michelle s. says:

    I couldn’t agree more. When I was standing at the threshold, trying to decide whether I should pursue photography as a career I asked myself a couple questions directly related to failing.

    Did I want to not try and therefore not fail? Or would I rather be out there doing it… and possibly fail? Basically for me being out there (even failing sometimes) was more an indication of success than never trying at all. Not trying and therefore not failing was in itself a failure.

    Love the quote by MJ~

  7. Moriah says:

    What a great way to start a Monday morning. Thank you for the wonderful words of wisdom!! You are always such an inspiration.

  8. Freida Hall says:

    It seems this is just what I needed to hear today… thank you for taking the time to share this post!
    I’m going to pause briefly… rest my sail… then move forward once again…
    Happy Monday to you as well! =)

  9. jeramy says:

    thanks for the encouragement!

  10. Genie says:

    I’m glad SOMEONE has the time to read and give me the essentials of ‘O’! So good to read – helps me keep this time of my life in perspective. HMTY! 😉

  11. Rob Mack says:

    Thanks for the shout-out, Me Ra!! I’m so happy that I’ve been able to add a little value to your life and day–however small!!!