How do you deal with crushing failure?

[AndrewNR]

You change, You adapt, You respect yourself. Remember to be true to yourself and follow with those around you. I'm still going through the worst thing I've gone through in my life, And my life has changed into something unrecognizable now. But, I know I have my health, And I know who's important to me now. Thats allot more than most people.

[Nino]

Chris,

I understand your spirit being down after 11 years of waiting for this chance and missing it.

It's tough, it's bitter and it's disappointing.

But as mentioned before, it's a setback not a failure. It gives you a chance to re-evaluate and set goals. Don't go for the black or white, wait until the dust settles and consider other colours. Consider apllying again. But have an alternate plan as well. One you feel comfortable with.

I sincerely wish you all the best and am sure you will succeed, you are a great guy !

And ... you don't need to be a Master of anything to smoke with us at the pharmacy anytime you want to visit again, just the Master of your destiny

Best wishes, Chris !

[sengjc]

There was once a man who lost a lot money such that he had to sell his shoes. He sat outside on the sidewalk lamenting his fate looking at all the folks that walked past wearing shoes.

As he sat down he saw a beggar hobbling past that had no feet. Then he realized perhaps having no shoes is not so bad after all.

[canadianbeaver]

How are doing this morning?

[LGC]

As cliche as it sounds, you just have to get yourself out of bed every day and put one foot in front of the other. Last year, I faced health problems resulting in the loss of a job that I recently accepted. After being unemployed, and doing some contract work, I accepted a new job for far less pay. I have a supporting wife, a house, and am working on having a child. I have plenty of cigars to smoke, and have plenty of food in the fridge. Sometimes we have to look at what we have in life... not just what we DON'T have. It's sometimes hard to live outside of our own minds/worlds. Life is about learning to live with things that may pop up, and keep going. It's not alway about dealing with something in completion and moving on. 100% closure is not always possible. Talking openly with trusted friends will help also. Although its hard to see sometimes, many people face the same problems in life. It's just that most folks feel embarrassed and don't want to talk about it.

[Rushman]

first, very sorry about your news.

second, all very good advice from fellow BOTLs / SOTLs

as far as advice from me, I am much more of a "screw them" kind of guy. Adversity makes you stronger, changes in your path often times lead you in the right direction in the end.

Chin up, smoke a good one!

[Skyfall]

In addition to my earlier advice :

I have learned this to be true numerous times in my life.

Sometimes you find your destiny on the very road you took to avoid it.

[Stanislaw]

Sorry to hear about the difficult times, but talking about it helps and clearly posting about it here helps even more because so many people will listen and stand with you while you continue on.... Never give up on a dream but choose the directions you take to get there....

I would sit and share a smoke with any one of you after this wonderful showing of concern....

[TheBaron]

The difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is the character of the person walking the path. You will be fine!

Well said. Remember mate, everyone makes mistakes. It's up to you to point out theirs...

[ChanceSchmerr]

Thanks all, for some very uplifting and great advice

It's been a very difficult few days but I've been talking to a lot of folks to try and channel my despair into positive energy, and to do my best in looking ahead instead of dwelling solely on what's just happened.

I have a solid plan to pursue for next year, of improving my grades through Masters level courses (correspondence or not) - I just have to flesh out how to execute it over the next week or so, and keep the pedal to the medal once I start in order to produce impressive enough grades to wipe out my undergrad disgrace.

The support of all the BOTL/SOTL's on here has been very heartening, and I can't tell you enough how much it has helped. This forum is the very definition of "Community", and times like this is when it shows. You have my heartfelt thanks!

[Nino]

I have a solid plan to pursue for next year, of improving my grades through Masters level courses (correspondence or not) - I just have to flesh out how to execute it over the next week or so, and keep the pedal to the medal once I start in order to produce impressive enough grades to wipe out my undergrad disgrace.

Go for it, Chris !

Best of luck, you will make it

[ChanceSchmerr]

Go for it, Chris !

Best of luck, you will make it

Thanks Nino - and I will still visit you at the Pharmacy one of these days - just not as soon as I had hoped. You know I won't stay away once I get to Europe!

[samreddevilz]

I have a less emotion. So this doesn't cause a large problem for me! I am lucky :-) :-)

[Ken Gargett]

sorry to hear it but agree with a lot of the stuff already proposed. it sounds as tho it is not completely cut off for you and that if you want to reapply, it is possible. work out what you need to do and do your best. i'd see it as a delay, certainly not failure.

good mate of mine was doing the Masters of Wine degree - extremely difficult course in tasting, written and dissertation categories. those days, you were allowed a number of go's. he was doing the tasing segment and he'd kept failing but came back each year. he was very talented but to be honest, not dedicated. then one of the examiners told him that he really should give up and that he would never pass. pissed him off so much that the next year, he topped it. not just for australia but for the entire planet.

mind you, being the lazy bastard he is, he then failed to get motivated to pass the rest of the course but it it is a good story up till then.

stick at it. if you are half as determined as you seem, you'll get there.

and have a great cigar and a malt.

[OZCUBAN]

Hi Chris

I wholeheartedly agree with the good and positive comments .

All I can say is you are young and you know what you want to do ,and that is a good thing (believe me )

Reassess reload and have another crack,don't get mad get even .

I am sure you are up to it my friend good luck

Cheers

Steve