I remember it like it was yesterday. I was standing on a stage and delivering a message during a convention. I wrote out a script. I was in front of everyone.
And I lost my place. I lost track of my words and slides.
I had failed at giving a speech but learned a vital lesson that changed my professional presentation skills. I fear failure.
As I gained more professional experience, I took what I learned at that convention and used it to find my presentation style. Failing at something can be a blessing—if you are willing to let yourself get it wrong but keep going.
As young adult professionals join seasoned professionals and college students start back at school, I hope they remember that as children of God, we don’t have to be perfect, and truly there are no failures. Because of grace and a belief that we can do better, we can embrace failure and let us use it to heal and grow.
This message is excerpted from “Blessings of failure” by Elizabeth McBride from the August 29, 2022, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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