If at first, you don’t succeed….

by SLY on September 2nd, 2010

“I haven’t failed, I’ve found 10000 ways that don’t work”~ Thomas Edison

My facebook status currently says, “Worked on a homemade toothpaste with mom today. EPIC FAIL. But we recorded the 100 times we tried every version only spitting it out in disgust. The outtake video will be worth the bad taste in my mouth. And my teeth are so freaking clean, they just don’t taste good.” :)

I lost count at how many times we’ve tried but we’ve called it a day for today. I don’t think we can distinguish between flavors anymore. Either it burns or leaves a horrible after taste. Despite the fact that we don’t have a single working recipe for our toothpaste, I am not discouraged, frustrated or giving up.

I’m excited to try again tomorrow. I’ll mix and match until I get the perfect solution for a toothpaste that is tasty enough for my mom, gooey enough for my baby sister and strong enough for my brother’s breath. I have found how ingredients mix together, I know to leave lemongrass in the cabinet and I’ve figured out the perfect ratio of baking soda to liquid whether that be with water, vegetable glycerin or  hydrogen peroxide without needing a measuring cup. I’ve learned that my mom is a trooper and very patient, I have a left over mix that will work great as a tub & tile cleaner and I have great clips for an upcoming youtube video.

Point is…KEEP TRYING. Even if you’ve mixed it 10,000 times, try again. And in the process of the mistakes, learn from them. Develop from them. Discover from them.

Don’t be discouraged. Never! What ever the means for your life. If you’re an ice skater and you’re tried perfecting a triple axle 5,000 times, keep going at it. If you’re trying to make the perfect cheesecake and it’s just never quite right, KEEP AT IT. You are a moment away from making your world a better place.

There may be times when you need to take a moment to collect yourself. You may need to walk away and think about something else. Or like me, you may need to wait until tomorrow so that your mouth can reset itself. Whatever it may be, do what you need to so that you can gather your thoughts again and then come back and hit it hard. NEVER GIVE UP.

If at first you don’t succeed, keep at it. Your moment will come.

RELEVANT ARTICLE

To Embrace Greatness, Embrace Failure by Charlie Gilkey

Photo Credit

Related Posts with Thumbnails
7 Comments
  1. Samantha Schwartz permalink

    do you know about this site: http://www.goodguide.com/

    it has nothing to do with trying again, but it is a great tool for finding out if a product is healthy, environmentally safe, and from a socially conscious company. If the toothpaste thing is awash (not saying it will be) this may be a great tool for finding an alternative that meets your needs.

    I love this website.

  2. Samantha Schwartz permalink

    oh the website also gives you lists of ingredients to watch out for and why they are of concern. Awesome.

  3. Teaundra permalink

    haha cant wait to see the vid

  4. Leigh4health (Leigh Burton) permalink

    Hey Sheena,
    I got the gift you sent. WOW I was surprised and didn’t remember what it was for. LOL. . .then I read your note. How sweet are you to send a gift for my comments on your blog. That was in August. At least you can say you are true to your word. . . no matter how long it takes. SAY BLESSED and keep up the great vids and in depth questions.

  5. SLY permalink

    @Leigh. LOL. “At least you are true to your words no matter how long it takes” LOL. That is the truth for me! I am trying to get better at sending giveaway gifts though. HAha!!! Stay blessed too!!!

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. Sociology of Sheena|Sheena Lashay
  2. Sociology of Sheena|Sheena Lashay

Leave a Reply

Note: XHTML is allowed. Your email address will never be published.

Subscribe to this comment feed via RSS