You are not a failure

“ You look sad, David, what’s going on?” the old man noticed, as David pulled out a chair when he entered the room.

“ When I look at my life, I’m not happy. Nothing is working. I’m forty-three. I have no house, no money, no kids. I make minimum wage at my job to survive. Not to mention the credit card debts and some health issues. I think that I’m a failure,” David said, almost in tears.

The old man looked at him without uttering a word. His heart was full of compassion for David.

“ Do you want something to drink?” the old man offered.

“ No. Thank you. I’m not thirsty,” David replied politely.

“ Listen, David, you are not a failure,” the old man said, staring at him.

“ How can you say I’m not a failure. Didn’t you hear what I said? My life is a shame, not worth living,” David blurted out.

“ David, look at me,” the old man said to get his attention. He took a deep breath and added, “You are not a failure. You have just delayed your accomplishment,” the old man said adamantly.

At this point, David rose to his feet, ready to leave the room.

“ Don’t you dare open the door and leave. Sit back in the chair,” the old man instructed sternly. When David glanced at him, he knew that the old man wasn’t joking. Slowly, he sat back on the chair and crossed his arms. The old man cleared his throat, sipped a glass of water, and said in a low voice, “ Not having a house, money, a good job, and other things you mentioned doesn’t make you a failure. You are just delayed them. It means you are responsible for your current situation.”

“ But, I..”

“ There is no but,” the old man cut him off. As if David was not hurt enough, the old man pressed on, “ As long as you don’t take responsibility for your current stage of life, you will remain in the same condition.”

“ This is unfair,” David protested.

“ What do you mean it’s not fair? Who do you think is responsible for your struggles?” the old man questioned.

“ I hate it when people blame me for my misfortune,” David replied to defend himself.

“ David, I’m not here to blame you. All I want is to help you live the kind of life you've ever dreamed of. But I got to tell you the truth. The first step is to take responsibility for your life.”

“ You said that I’m a failure. Do you mean it?” David asked.

The old man's smile widened, and he replied, “ I mean, David. You are not a failure. You are facing challenges. I get that. But you are not a failure. I can help you become the successful person you were created to be. Are you willing to apply what I’m about to tell you?”

David nodded without uttering a word.

“ What do you like to do?” the old man asked him.

“ I don’t know. I don’t like my current job, and I regret dropping out of high school. I have no skills. I don’t know how to play any sport.”

“ You didn’t answer my question, David. What do you like to do?”

The question caught him off guard. He stared at the old man speechless.

“ Let me rephrase my question. Do you love music? Do you love to sing? Do you like drawing? Do you like to cook? Do you like numbers, do you like gardening, do you like talking, making friends?”

“ I like painting, but one day, my dad said I will never make a living painting stuff,” David finally admitted.

“ Why did your dad say that?” the old man asked, curious.

“ One day, I drew a picture of my little sister. When my dad got home after work and saw the picture of my little sister that I drew, he barked, “You'd better do your homework than waste your time doing foolish stuff. Since then, I stopped drawing,” David replied sadly.

He opened his wallet, pulled out a piece of paper, unfolded it, and showed it to the old man. “ This is a picture of my little sister I drew.”

“ You did this?” The old man asked, amazed.

“ I decided to keep the picture with me all the time.”

“ This is unbelievable, David. You are talented. This is your gift, David !” the old man shouted with joy.

“ I love to draw and to paint,” David said.

“ I will help you get into an Art school. That will help you refine your gift and be exposed to countless opportunities in your field. I believe that your gift will make room for you,” the old man said.

Years later, David became a successful and renowned artist.

Dear reader, you are not a failure. Discover your gift and refine it. It will make room for you and lead you before great men.