A positive attitude turns stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

Brother James W. Robbins, 32° K.C.C.H., 1929-2000

Of all the fears that assail us, the fear of failure is often most devastating. There is the poignant parable of the talents in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 25. In it, a man fears failure so much that he is unwilling to attempt doing his job. He knew what was expected, but was so fearful of failing that he would not try.

This is the story of too many people. They try nothing, and they succeed. The concept that it is better to attempt great things and fail than to attempt nothing and succeed is foreign to them. Thomas A. Edison once told someone that, before finally inventing a particular item, he tried some 421 possibilities, none of which gave the desired results. Edison's guest asked, "Didn't all those failures dishearten you? How could you proceed after that many failures?" Edison replied, "Those were not failures. From each one I learned that some particular thing would not work. The 422nd thing I tried did work. I did not have 421 failures, I had 422 successes."

This story may be apocryphal, but there is a truth here. It suggests that attitude makes the difference. Edison was not controlled by circumstances. He made his situations; they didn't make him. The seven last words of many organizations are, "We never did it that way before." At some point, a brave soul tried anything that ever worked or succeeded. Fear of failure prevents success. The Scottish Rite Journal, like many other Masonic publications, often features innovative and unusual programs that have been tried with great success. I would venture to say that in every case some timid souls were certain this particular something different just could not work.

As Grand Master of Cryptic Masons in Kansas, I tried several new programs. Some were successes and some were failures, but at least we tried some new things. In one case, several older and wiser (translate more timid) voices urged me to abandon or change the programs drastically. If the program met no more success than demonstrating a solution that did not work, this in itself was a success. Someone else could profit from the experience of my effort.

While the phrase the "Joy of Failure" may seem to be a contradiction in terms, it actually tells a great truth. Accept your failures as learning opportunities and don't be afraid to try again. If something other than what you anticipated or desired happens, if it doesn't work out, know that you can accept failure without being personally defeated. The secret of the "Joy of Failure" is that you can make a stepping stone out of a stumbling block-if you approach it with a positive attitude. You can handle an event that doesn't work out and still go on and try something else. What you cannot permit is a paralysis that keeps you from trying anything. This paralysis is more dangerous than any number of failures. If you are frozen stiff by fear, you try nothing, and that is what you produce. Success belongs to the brave soul who is willing to try for the 422nd time. It has been said that the cowardly die a thousand deaths while the valiant die but once. I believe it. Fear knocked at the door, faith answered, and, behold, there was no one there!

James William Robbins
retired many years ago from his post as a clergyman of the United Church of Christ but remained an active member of both the Kansas City, Kansas, and Martinsburg, West Virginia, Scottish Rite Bodies. He was raised a Mason in Ancient Form Lodge No. 34, Shawnee, Kansas, and was a Past Grand Master of Cryptic Masons in Kansas. We regret to note Bro. Robbins passed away on January 9, 2000. This article is presented as a tribute to his lifelong service to Freemasonry.