We know J.K. Rowling as the author of the Harry Potter books. However, her life was not successful at the inception of her writing career. In fact, she was a single mother living on welfare when she was writing her first book. Her first marriage ended in divorce. She even contemplated suicide.
Yet, as Rowling tells it, failure is something we all experience at some level, and it can be, when properly viewed, good for us. If we don’t fail at something, we are probably not taking enough chances, and are living life way too safely. Rowling found out aspects of herself that would not have been known if she didn’t fail.
As a family lawyer, I consult with persons on a regular basis who are experiencing crisis. They may even view themselves as a failure. It is during such times that it is helpful to remember that life is impermanent. Thus, everything passes, including the difficulty or failure of the present moment.
The creator of Harry Potter is an example to anyone who has ever viewed him or herself as a failure.
by Patrick Gaffney
