By Carolyn Rubenstein

The scariest part of failure is being seen when you’re most vulnerable and least perfect. It is far safer (and easier) to hide behind dreams and schemes. It is even fun to dream and scheme—to think “what if,” and to create our own fairy tales—you know, something to look forward to, one day when you just know that it’s the right time. But while we wait for the perfect time, we watch others soar—we listen closely to their tales and imagine how one day we will be telling a similar tale of triumph and victory. These tales, over time, often grow as we gain new experiences, watch others’ experiences, and engage in endless daydreaming.

Now, back to the point at hand—the scariest part of failure. When we abandon the confines of “life as usual,” we leap, hoping... More...