Disappointment: A Fact of Life (PB)

When somebody works very hard for something, they expect to get good results.  People should receive the result that reflects how much effort they put forth. So what happens when someone works extremely hard for something, and gets terrible results?  Doesn't that seem unfair? 

This weekend I was at a Marching Band Competition.  We all, well most of us, had worked so hard this past week at practices to try to pull ahead of the competition.  We felt so confident in our performance on Saturday that noting could take the pride of putting on a good show away from us… until the awards ceremony.  Everyone was waiting anxiously to hear our placement.  Holding hands, saying little prayers in our heads… those tactics didn’t work.  We ended up taking third place.  The disappointment that overwhelms you when you put forth so much effort only to get shot down is unbearable. 

How does someone go about recovering from such a let down?  First, we should consider possible mistakes that we might have made.  Learning from your mistakes is key to making improvements the next time you participate in the same activity.  Disappointment is something that everyone will have to deal with, and it is something that we should use to grow in our lives.  Second, make the improvements that need to be made after analyzing the mistakes made previously.  Third, pick your head up and move on. 

Life is too short to live with your disappointments forever.  In reality, life won’t always hand you first place on a silver platter, which means that you need to always have an optimistic attitude.  So, keep on learning from your mistakes and keep your head up.  Even through discouraging times, stay positive and you will, most likely, get what you deserve. 

So, I guess what I am trying to say through all of this is to think positively.  Have an optimistic outlook on life.  And even though the band did not win their competition, there’s always next week. 

“Keep moving forward.”  ~Walt Disney