Intent.

Yesterday, I posted this graphic which I found perfectly illustrated how I feel about failure. Let me repeat. How I. How I feel about failure.

The intent behind that post, and all of my posts, actually, is to make people think, empower, encourage and motivate.

That being said, some gave me a different perspective of that graphic potentially eliciting shame in those who are feeling an insurmountable feeling of not being able to overcome their current situation. I would be hypocritical if I said they misunderstood what I was trying to do, by not trying to understand their vantage point. 

So, I’ve been sitting with it. It is never my intent to make people feel bad. Ever. I am never one to intentionally kick someone, especially when they’re down. Always, always it is my intent to help, encourage and motivate, because I’ve been down. And I’ve been kicked when I’ve been down.

I don’t know anyone else’s situation or experiences other than my own. I write from my perspective, because that’s all I know. I’ve experienced my own set of failures and have dealt with anxiety and depression and my own obstacles. If you want to get into the privilege arena – which, candidly, I don’t want to go down that path, but sure, I’ve been afforded privileges that others may not have had. But I also know people who have had it far worse than me in their lives and they are some of the most inspirational people I know, because despite their obstacles, they still crush.

 My goal – always my goal –  and again, my intention – is to instill hope in those who are feeling hopeless. At the end of the day, not everyone is going to see eye to eye. I respect people’s viewpoints and I encourage dialogue behind it. I also encourage, before shutting down someone’s opinion, you take a moment and think of where that person is coming from because we don’t live in a black and white world – not every situation is the same and there are always different circumstances. Opinions aren’t facts. My opinion isn’t fact, it’s based on my experience. 

I stand by my posting that graphic yesterday, because my intent was to say, if you’re in a place where you’re feeling buried, you may not be able to see, but ultimately, your failures are lessons in disguise potentially leading you to your next success – if you let them.