YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE, YOU NEVER WERE

Dear Daughter,
During the times when you played tennis
When you couldn’t play a shot properly
You were not a failure
When you couldn’t win a game
You were not a failure
When you couldn’t run as fast as you were supposed to
You were not a failure
For what is a failure
It’s nothing but a comparison
I feel there is no such thing as failure
We simply move ahead
Step by step
I remember when I was young
Whatever I did
I did for the sake of getting a new experience
Simply for the joy of it
Never competed with anyone
Even if it was a competition
I simply enjoyed what I was doing
I never had this urge to win
Or to defeat someone
I was happy, con dent & energetic
So in those days I was never a failure
I failed later on
when I started competing with others (in my mind)
There was no enjoyment
fi
but stress to win
& fear of failure
& that was a blunder
Comparing myself to others
As I lost my con dence
I sat down
& gave it a thought
And realised my mistake
Tried to become that girl once again
Which I was during my younger days
Now sitting at this sports festival
Listening to experts
I had this sudden realisation
& an urge to tell you that
You are not a failure, you never were
Today I want to tell you
Enjoy whatever you do in life
Welcome new experiences
Keep moving step by step
& achieve what you want
Stay humble
Stay blessed
Love,
Mom
(Being perfect in an imperfect way)

Sonia Arora
fi