While I recognize the benefits of personal failure there is a part of me who hates to see people fail.
For instance, I hate seeing a kicker miss a field goal at the end of the game and watching the team lose. Recently with all the media focused on Tim Tebow, many have escaped an inordinant amount of attention on their own failures.
As an example, in the Chicago Bear-Denver Bronco game I was pulling for the Broncos. What an incredible win they got. But for the Bears, it was Marion Barber who made two costly, game losing mistakes. Now, let me say as a fan, I am all for the opposing team messing up, getting penalties, and missing field goals. But at the same time I feel bad when one particular player stands out as the reason for the loss. I realize that other things can be pointed to, but it is the end of the game that gets all the attention.
So what did Barber do? He ran out of bounds which stopped the clock. Then in overtime he fumbled the football. Two incredibly huge mistakes. Ultimately it cost the Bears the game.
Perhaps you are thinking I am being schizophrenic. I must be a wierd fan, because I felt bad for Barber, even though he was on the Bears team. Is it possible to want the team to fail, the play to fail, without wanting to see a particular player fail?
I'm just not a fan of watching people fail. But once again, I totally understand the value of personal failure. We learn so much from out mistakes and failures. Abraham Lincoln is known for years of personal failure, but ultimately he became one of our best presidents.
As much as I dislike the Dallas Cowboys being a Redskin fan, I was glad that Tony Romo did not make a game losing mistake. And I do not like watching kickers miss last second field goals. However, in the Cowboy loss the kick was partially blocked, and so really no one person was really at fault.
It can't be easy to be criticized for a personal failure. Life is tough enough. While personal failure is frustrating and at times humiliating, it truly can be life changing and a stepping stone to personal success.
So while I have a disdain for watching people mess up, I love watching people succeed. With that said, I guess I'll have to watch more people fail so I can watch more people can succeed.
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