Here come the terrible twins - Success and Failure

There have been times and there will be times ahead when you will encounter either of these two "brothers" called Success and Failure.

I have met them constantly in my regular travels along the journey of life. Success is a much more congenial companion because he's always someone you like as a walking companion. Success makes you laugh, makes you happy and makes you feel like a million bucks.

Failure on the other hand is a morose chap who's constantly moaning and groaning about you, and why you never think of him at all. In a way, Failure is right. We should think more about him because his presence will make us wiser people.

Failure has got important lessons for us all but we almost never appreciate his presence. We dislike his body odour. We resent his uninvited presence and his unexpected intrusion into our peaceful lives.

But we were to scrutinise this repulsive character named Failure, we will find out that this guy is actually trying to teach us some very valuable lessons in life. For one thing, Failure helps us to cultive empathy and sympathy for others who also have come across Failure.

Failure in his sullen ways enlightens us about his twin brother Success. He makes us more appreciative of Success and not take for granted the often limited time, Success spends with us.

It is from Failure that we learn that there are other ways to climb a steep hill, or to develop a skill, or even to be a better person.

Success and Failure are a pair of twins who seldom meet because they are so busy travelling around the world and across all strata of society quietly expounding knowledge and secrets that a lot of people need to learn.

We welcome Success but shun Failure. Those among us who are wise make friends with these twins because they know that all are worth knowing. Success helps us to further strengthen our positions. In other words, make us work harder so that we may not his friendship.

Failure by making us fear him, or sometimes run away from him, indirectly teaches us that into every dark corner we hide ourselves, we will eventually have to come out and face reality, the twins' cousin.

Failure looks at us in the eye but we do not see the knowledge he wants to impart. We see but our own fear reflected in Failure's eyes. Failure sincerely wants us to hold his hand, thereby know that he too is like us. Unless we dare to befriend him, we will never be able to fully appreciate the beautiful land that he has roamed since time immemorial.

The great teachers among us know these twins very well. They have been in their company for eons and realise that all is an illusion. They are but lesson couched in human form to help us understand, learn and celebrate the joy of living.

So next time, you are visited upon by either of the twins who called themselves Success and Failure, be sure to welcome them in your company and say thank you for coming. Put your hands around their shoulders and call them brother.

If you can do that and be not fearful or too glad, you will be given the key to everlasting happiness. It is a privilege that is seldom bestowed on citizens of the world except the few who would later become teachers.