Celebrating Failure

During the last semester I tried and failed to get into FLA, the Florida Leadership Academy. Not only did I fail to get in, but the reason that I failed was due to a very good friend and coworker of mine lying about sending in a letter of recommendation. My application was thrown out before even being considered.
For a while I was very bitter about this. Instead of being happy for my friends who got in, I was jealous and annoyed and was thinking along the lines off "well if he/she got in surely I had a chance!". Looking back I am not very proud of the way I acted during this time.
Over time I have managed to get over these hostile and negative feelings. I like to think I learned from the experience. I know that in the future, if something is truly that important, you cannot let it all come down to a single person to determine whether or not you succeed. Always have a backup, always be prepared for the worst.
Coping with failure has always been difficult for me. I tend to take it personally when I do not meet a goal. This class has helped me to recognize that failure is not a bad thing; it is a natural part of the learning process. Success is achieved through failure, as long as one does not let a failure hold them back. This mindset has led me to adopt a new perspective on taking risks. Every risk taken is an opportunity for growth, regardless of the outcome.