What if the Secret to Success Is Failure?

(Reflections on an article in the New York Times: “What if the Secret to Success Is Failure?" by Paul Tough)

As we start a New Year I have been mulling over an article I read about a critical piece that appears to be missing in our culture: ’character.’  The article is not written from a Christian framework, but it is especially interesting to me because it is written by middle and high school educators and I have a 13 year old son!  

Character may be taught in a formal way, in a classroom, or by family.  I think it begins with family.  Character development starts when children are very young and grows incrementally over many years.  It is a parent’s  responsibility to cultivate strengths that represent a reliable path to “the good life,” a life that’s not just happy, but also meaningful and fulfilling. 

Educators David Levin and Dominic Randolph developed a list of 24 character strengths that seemed to most likely to predict a life satisfaction and high achievement.  Then after more research, the list was dropped to a more manageable number.  The final list settled on the seven character strengths below.  I am simply pondering this research....good words for all of us in 2012.  Let me know what you think...

ZEST

An indicator of zest:  “I actively participate!”

GRIT

Work hard and hang-in there when things are rough.

“People who accomplish great things, often combine a passion for a single mission with an unswerving dedication to achieve that mission, whatever the obstacles and however long it might take.”

SELF-CONTROL

Building grit and self-control is largely what you get from failure –you learn it when things don’t go your way. Recover from a bad experience and resolve to do better the next time - bounce back...

Resist the urge to play another game or watch TV and finish the task at hand...learn how to fail.

SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE

Use good sense when you are with people. Treat everyone with respect. Learn to collaborate effectively.

GRATITUDE

Be thankful for yourself and others.

Express your gratitude by showing love.

OPTIMISM

“Tomorrow is a new day.”

CURIOSITY

“I am eager to explore new things!”

My prayer for you in 2012:

I pray you will be full of joyful thanks as you actively engage in new experiences.

On the days you want to ‘crawl in a hole’ I pray you will resist the temptation, ‘hang- in there’ and rise above the circumstances.

May you continually express your concern and respect for all people in appropriate deeds of kindness.

Above, all I pray you will possess a passionate, loving heart for God.”