I am an avid reader of the FAIL Blog. It’s an online collection of videos, pictures, and stories of failure. From restaurant signs that declare "WE EAT KIDS FOR FREE" to pictures of tagger’s spray painted wall that says "666. ALL BOW TO SATIN!"
Maybe I’m easily amused and entertained. Or maybe it’s because I’m much more interested in failure than success.
When I peruse the FAIL Blog I identify with it. It’s honest, raw and a true reflection of my life. And probably yours too.
But too often in our world of looking good and managing our personal brand, failure is often covered up, pushed aside, and drowned in a list of our incredible successes. I’m guilty of this. How often do you publically talk about your train wrecks?
Often our transparency and admission of our struggles is framed in the very distant past.
Our addiction from 8 years ago.
Our porn problem that I’ve conquered.
Our party animal ways in High School.
All that is commendable honesty but what about now? When it comes to embracing our brokenness, the mess of today matters.
For me, I’ve been struggling with my temper. That’s a struggle RIGHT NOW and I don’t have a happy ending yet. Lately I’ve been blowing up and going postal! I get angry and spew my venom on my wife and kids. And I hate this about myself. I feel embarrassment and shame. I’m looking for a solution but right now I’m failing.
I don’t share this with you as some lame attempt to be accountable. I share it because it is real and I’m not afraid of my problem.
When we embrace our broken parts, we become connected to one another. Sure, we should celebrate each other successes, but you and I know we more closely identify with each others failures. My friend Mike who is a pastor in Southern California says that he doesn’t trust anyone until he can see their limp. I don’t either and nor should you.
So whether you’ve lost your job, destroyed your marriage, flunking a class, hitting up AA meetings on Friday nights, or a tagger that can’t spell the word Satan, let us embrace our fabulous failure.
Mike Foster is the co-author of Deadly Viper Character Assassins and advocates for radical integrity and grace. He blogs daily at www.DeadlyViper.org
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