"Wiping Out"

Years ago I had the opportunity to attend a seminar featuring the motivational speaker Art Mortell, then President of Systematic Achievement Corp. Part of his presentation revolved around the blessings that come from wiping out.

He said, "Failure is only an experience that is less than what you expected in which you must demand to know: what have I gained; what is the benefit."

He suggested that failure and success are synonymous.

For example, he said that Thomas Edison needed to fail 10,000 times before he found the right filament for the lightbulb.

As another example, he cited the fact that Babe Ruth struck out 1330 times getting to 714 home runs.

Life is an adventure. As my Grandmother Wilson said, "Just enjoy it." Failure and wiping out are just part of the adventure; they renew our humility.

God said that "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5

With the turmoil in the world today, wiping out seems to be commonplace. Look at all of the individuals and financial institutions that have wiped out.

The great thing about the American Experiment is that we can wipe out and gain strength from the experience.

Art Mortell said further that the only way to truly fail is to either quit or not try.

Americans are resilient because they keep trying, and they don't quit.

In World War II, Winston Churchill's famous lines, "Never, never, never give up" are applicable again to us today.

We have some incredible challenges ahead of us with regards to the economy, healthcare, social securtiy, national security, retirement, etc.

Some words of wisdom that I have always remembered were these, "Don't take yourself too 'dang' seriously."

President Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints gave a challenge to the priesthood that I think applies to solving many of our problems today. He said, "Many areas of the world have experienced difficult economic times. Businesses have failed, jobs have been lost, and investments have been jeopardized. We must make certain that those for whom we share responsibility do not go hungry or unclothed or unsheltered." He said further that we should make our homes "...sanctuaries of rigteousness, places of prayer, and abodes of love..." and that we need God's guidance in our lives today.

To make "wiping out" a blessing in our lives, Art Mortell offered these suggestions:

1. Avoid negative addictions like smoking, alcohol, caffeine, food, TV, oversleeping, drugs, gambling, depression and hostility.

2. Implement positive habits like exercise, work, relationships and meditation (God).

3. Be more like a 3 year old, relentless, a proficient role player relating to everyone, able to shift gears at high speed changing tactics, cute, warm and a professional hustler.

He said that total happiness comes from good health, financial independence, love and peace of mind.

"Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward." Isaiah 58:8