‘If our young men miscarry in their first enterprises, they lose all heart. If the young merchant fails, men say he is ruined. If the finest genius studies at one of our colleges, and is not installed in an office within one year afterwards in the cities or suburbs of Boston or New York, it seems to his friends and to himself that he is right in begin disheartened, and in complaining the rest of his life. A sturdy lad from New Hampshire or Vermont, who in turn tires all the professions, who teams it, farms it, peddles, keeps a school, preaches, edits a newspaper, goes to Congress, buys a township, and so forth, in successive years, and always, like a cat, falls on his feet, is worth a hundred of these city dolls. He walks abreast with his days, and feels no shame in not “studying a profession” for he does not postpone his life, but lives already. He has not once chance, but a hundred chances.’
That was from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson’s words ring as true today as when he wrote them centuries ago. How easily us young people become disheartened and lose motivation after an initial setback or failure – but there is no failure, only feedback – the words we use are important.
A struggling businessman, a college graduate unable to find a prestigious job right away, or any ambitious endeavor that hits a roadblock – the tendency is to throw in the towel too quickly, often 3 feet from gold.
Just like the “sturdy lad” from rural New England, we can embrace life’s twists and turns, trying our hand at every opportunity without getting demoralized. Peddles goods, farm the land, keep studying, gets into politics – constantly adapting and rolling with the punches – just like the cat who always lands on his feet.
The biggest difference between people that throw in the towel and someone who is sturdy? Mindset. The city kids – with all their close contact with others – sees a failed first attempt as a devastating, identity-crushing event. But the country lad – more remote – doesn’t view life through such a narrow lens of “studying a profession.” He is open to whatever paths present themselves, embracing experiences rather than specific career goals.
In a toast to the country lad’s approach, let’s focus on resilience, versatility and a level of psychological flexibility. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and crumble at the first sign of failure. Instead, live life with an open mind, try many pursuits, and surely “a hundred chances” will eventually arise. A philosophical call to build one’s self-esteem around effort and life experience rather than conventional markers of status and success.
When we free ourselves from society’s rigid expectations, we open up to life’s plenty of opportunities. A valuable lesson for any era, any person, anywhere.
Joe DiAndrea 