Today I’m uncertain about whether or not I’ve done a good thing or a bad thing. A friend has completed his second novel and I have encouraged him to send it out to publishers. His first book was self-published and he seemed happy enough with that launch, so who am I to interfere? My intentions are honorable, of course. I think his work can stand critical review. Still, success won’t come easily and I hope when he receives the inevitable rejections, he won’t be discouraged or angry with me for subjecting him to failure.
Would it help to remind him that many of the world’s greatest writers faced rejection, I wonder. The only difference between success and failure is perseverance.
Perseverance teaches us to learn from our mistakes and not waste time comparing ourselves to others. Others don’t come into the picture.
Marlo Thomas, actress and philanthropist, is the daughter of the once popular and beloved comedian, Danny Thomas. In the early days of her career, she continually measured her failures to her father’s success. One day, he cut her short.
I raised you to be a thoroughbred, and when thoroughbreds run, they wear blinders to keep their eyes focused straight ahead with no distractions from the other horses. They run their own race. (“On My Mind” by Marlo Thomas, AARP, April/May, 2014, pg. 68.)
Danny Thomas’s advice is good for us all to remember. When you stop to compare yourself with someone else, you lose ground. Stick to the track you’ve laid out and run it with all your heart.
(Courtesy of www.garnd-national2010.co.u)
