Why I'm Grateful for My Biggest Failure
Vito Chiaravalloti
Passionate about Medical Technology, Sports, and Coaching Others to Reach Their Potential
From the time I was seven years old, all I wanted to do was be a big leaguer. I got close, but I didn’t reach my ultimate goal. I failed. My childhood dream didn’t come true. And it hurt.
Toward the end of my last season in the minors, I had a hard time accepting that it was over. After twenty years of believing something was my destiny - that I was literally put on this Earth to do it - being a baseball player wasn’t simply a dream job, it had become my identity. Who was I if I no longer was a baseball player?
I cycled through every emotion associated with loss - denial, anger, depression. I blamed everyone. Made excuses. Was hard on myself. Lost confidence. Felt confused and alone. It was the greatest adversity I had ever faced in my life, and I didn’t have a clue how to overcome it.
Then, I got an email from CBA.
Take one step forward at a time.
They were looking for a swimming coach. I applied.
Twelve years later, I could not imagine my life any differently. From my greatest adversity was born a life even better than I had dreamed. I would not have met my wife. We would not have our beautiful daughter. I would not have coached countless athletes, building memories and relationships that are irreplaceable. I would have missed out on my true calling of teaching and coaching. If not for failure, I would not be who God has truly called me to be.
Adversity is hard in the moment. We would rather avoid it. We don’t want to fail. But if we take one step forward at a time, eventually we look back and see we are exactly where we should be. We grow stronger. Wiser. Better. Adversity is a blessing - an opportunity - to become who we are truly meant to be.
Today, I’m grateful for the adversity I’ve faced in my life. #VGrateful30 #gratitude #adversity
Network Engineering and Automation
5 年Nice Article... I was also with the Blue Jays (minors) from 1987-1990...?
Sports & Entertainment Risks/ Advising / Representation
5 年Time Flies ...full circle ....keep your passion.. Remember scouting you..??
Managing Partner at North Texas Skilled Labor Solutions
5 年Well said Vito, the struggle with implementing a new self identity and finding purpose was hard on me as well. I wouldn’t change anything about the journey, the best parts of my life came from the adversity.
Vice President of Sales & Marketing at American Benefits Exchange
5 年Well written and well said.? God's plan may not always take exactly where we want to be at a given moment in time (i.e. the big leagues).? We don't see the big picture in that moment but He does.? Through that adversity He has brought you right where you are supposed to be and to the destination He had planned for you all along.