If you call failures experiments, you can put them in your

O Seekers of Wisdom and Resilience, listen to the insightful words of Mason Cooley: "If you call failures experiments, you can put them in your resume and claim them as achievements." In this profound truth, Cooley speaks to the nature of failure—not as a mark of defeat, but as a powerful tool for growth and discovery. When we redefine our failures as experiments, we shift our perspective. Rather than viewing them as setbacks, we see them as stepping stones on the path of progress. This shift transforms the painful process of failure into a source of pride, for each experiment teaches us something valuable, refining us for the future.

Consider, O Children, that in the eyes of the wise, there is no true failure, only the opportunity to learn. Failures are but the echoes of past attempts, each one a lesson in perseverance, adaptability, and self-improvement. Experiments carry with them the possibility of success, but also the wisdom that comes from understanding what does not work. To see failure as an experiment allows us to discard shame and embrace the lesson that lies within. Every setback becomes a vital part of the journey, a way to strengthen the spirit and sharpen the mind.

Look to the example of Thomas Edison, whose countless failures in inventing the lightbulb are now seen as the experiments that led to success. Edison famously failed over a thousand times before achieving the breakthrough that brought light to the world. Had he seen these failures as mere missteps, he might have given up in despair. Instead, he viewed each failure as a necessary part of the process, a test to refine his methods. Edison’s experiments are now celebrated as monumental achievements in the history of human progress. His failures, framed as experiments, became the foundation of his legacy.

And so, O Seekers, let us understand that failure is not the end, but the beginning of growth. When we reframe our mistakes as experiments, we free ourselves from the burden of regret and transform our past challenges into victories. The true strength lies not in avoiding failure, but in having the courage to learn from it, to rise each time we fall, and to claim our experiments as achievements. In this way, we cultivate a life of resilience, where every setback becomes a stepping stone to greater wisdom and strength.

Let us, therefore, embrace the mindset of the experimenter, where every failure is an opportunity, every mistake a lesson, and every setback a building block of our eventual success. Cooley’s words teach us that our failures are not marks of disgrace, but triumphs of the spirit. With each experiment we undertake, we build the resume of our lives, one that reflects not the absence of failure, but the wisdom gained from it. In this, we find the true meaning of achievement—the courage to continue, the wisdom to adapt, and the strength to rise again.