I always tell people that if you aren't failing, you aren't trying. That is to say that in order to succeed you will have failures along the way. In sales trainings, I've also heard the idea that every no takes you one step closer to a yes.

Looking back on various "failures" I've experienced in my life, I now know that a) they helped make me and my life what they are and b) that I probably wouldn't have wanted many of those ventures or relationships to "succeed" anyway.

I recently released 2 ebooks that share my perspective on these in a fairly revealing and personal way. The first one, The Sunflower Princess is a healing fairy tale I wrote many years ago. The book tells a figurative tale of my life a few years ago. After the loss of several close family members and friends, including my parents and beloved grandparents, I felt very alone.

I’d had my share of romantic relationships as well but never felt like my life was where I thought it should be. But, just like in the story, I finally decided to plant myself in my life and make the best of it exactly where I was.

The other, Reflections of my Heart: A Poetic Journey... is poetry written about my struggles around personal and romantic encounters. The goal in doing so is to provide hope and empathy for others dealing with their own relationship frustrations and losses…and to show that there is hope and life on the other side of every past relationship.

It is somewhat humbling for me to share these "failures" in my life with others, especially the romantic ones. But knowledge that isn't shared is wasted and I really feel that someone will benefit from knowing they are not the only one out there going through some tough stuff.

No matter what you are going through, if you handle your situation with grace and love, you will inspire others and perhaps give someone else the courage to keep on trying.