Failing for Fun and Learning

Wow. How many shots will he take before he even hits the bottom of the net? Will he comprehend that with each shot, however far beneath his goal, he adds strength to his purpose? He WILL fail. Time and again, he will fail. But he smiles through most of it. Why? Does he see increased distance and accuracy, like I do, as I watch him? Does it refuel his resolve? "Dad! Did you see that? It was so close!" And, he tries again. Smiling. I watch him. I'm amazed at his resilience. He has failed so many times so far. Why doesn't he quit? He maintains the conviction that he WILL succeed. He fails again, this time, WAY off from his best attempt. He laughs at that one. "HaHa! That was a bad one! Watch THIS one!" He tries again. He's teaching me something. I'm watching and growing more and more proud as he never quits, although still quite a distance from his victory. It's his attitude. This failure is FUN for him. He has complete confidence that "one more shot could be all it takes." So he tries again.

I think of myself. I've failed too. Many times I have failed. I didn't see the fun in it. I didn't see the increased distance to my goal, or the improved accuracy. I didn't laugh, as I could have, at the attempt that was WAY off, rejuvenating my spirit with a smile and a breath, and comprehending that I was still, even in that failure, adding strength to my purpose. Do I have the courage to laugh and say, "HaHa! That was a bad one... WATCH THIS ONE." He is teaching me something. This failure is FUN for him.

So I will try again.

Back to the moment. I want him to succeed. He deserves it. He has never quit. His courage and his belief that he will make that shot inspires ME as I watch. "Come on, little son! You can do it! Aim above the goal! High above the goal! Shoot for the sky, and the moon and the stars!" He smiles at me. "One more shot, dad."

Swoosh.