Being Willing To Fail Or Lose

In another episode of, House I was watching last night, the protagonist Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) told a doctor competing for a fellowship who was obsessed with playing the game and always winning that, “If you’re going to work for me you have to be willing to fail or lose.” We talk a lot about it being okay to fail forward but this was a pretty straightforward way of looking at it. It really made me think about how we can use failure to solve complex problems. The character of Dr. House often encouraged stepping back from obsession with success and instead embracing risk, learning from mistakes, and being open to different approaches.

This reminded me that fixation on winning or achieving perfection might sometimes prevent genuine growth or innovative thinking. It’s a way of emphasizing resilience and adaptability over rigidly always chasing the win or success. In the context of the show, House wanted his team members to understand that they might face situations where things don’t go perfectly, and that’s okay. We are reminded that what matters is a willingness to take risks, learn from mistakes, and not be paralyzed by fear of failure. It’s a mindset that encourages resilience, innovation, and growth, even when the stakes are high.

Our Shadow and Our Shine

In his September 1st poem in Diary of an Old Soul, George MacDonald said, “We are a shadow and a shining, we!” I love the metaphors of shadows and shining. He was highlighting the dual nature of our human existence. The “shadow” symbolizes our mortal, imperfect, and finite aspects. Shadows also represent things we repress, our limitations and struggles. The “shining” represents our divine, eternal, and luminous essence. Our true spiritual nature, potential, and where we excel is where we shine.

On September 1st, in that poem, MacDonald was encouraging us to recognize both sides of ourselves. We need to embrace the transient, imperfect parts, and the enduring, radiant spirit within ourselves. It’s an invitation to embrace our flaws while also acknowledging our inherent light and goodness, fostering humility and hope on our spiritual journeys.

Tries Are Worthless

The other night when watching episodes of, House, the protagonist Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) made a provocative comment that really made me think and still has me thinking. He said, “Tries are worthless.” To give some context, after losing a patient in a particular tough case, one of the other doctors said that at least they tried. That’s when House said, “Tries are worthless.” At first I could not get my head wrapped around the comment. I believe the show’s writers were having House suggest that simply making an attempt without purpose, effort, or proper strategy doesn’t lead to meaningful results. Alternatively, it could have been emphasizing that trying alone isn’t enough. Success requires genuine effort, learning, persistence, or the right approach. In other words, just trying is not enough.

In the show, House always solves complex medical cases using unconventional methods, experimentation, and sometimes failing multiple times before finding the right diagnosis. This really does go beyond just trying. Effort alone isn’t always enough; the way we try matters. Genuine effort, learning, and perseverance often lead to better outcomes. Trying without focus or direction may not be productive. It’s important to try intentionally and with purpose.

Sometimes, trying without reflection or adaptation can feel futile. Success often involves trying different strategies and learning from failures. The phrase challenged me to consider to always consider what I’m truly trying for, and encourages me to focus on meaningful goals rather than just effort for effort’s sake.

Leading Down The Bunny Trail

Yesterday, as I was checking cows, I noticed a bunny trail coming out of the woods into a field (see featured photo). This reminded me of the phrase “going down a rabbit hole.” The phrase originated from Lewis Carroll’s classic book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In the story, Alice literally falls into a rabbit hole and finds herself in a strange, fantastical world. I had the chance to retrace Carroll’s steps while studying in Oxford. I also got to visit the shop that the actual Alice Liddell (who some scholars believe to be the Alice in Carroll’s stories is based on) would visit as a child and is featured in Lewis Carroll’s book Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There. The shop is now Alice’s Shop and is the official place for all things Alice in Wonderland. Check out the photo of my coffee mug from there.

Over time, the phrase, “going down a rabbit hole,” has come to metaphorically describe a situation where we become deeply involved in complex, confusing, or endless details, often leading us away from our original focus. It’s commonly used to refer to exploring a topic or series of ideas that become increasingly intricate or absorbing, sometimes to the point of losing track of time or the main objective.

Going down rabbit holes isn’t always bad. Rabbit holes can be a valuable way to learn deeply about a subject, satisfy curiosity, or come up with creative ideas. However, it can also become problematic if it leads to spending too much time on less important details, causing delays or distraction from your main goals. Like many things, moderation and awareness of balance are key.

Harnessing Knowledge for Positive Impact

It was said that Gollum’s, who was originally known as Sméagol in The Fellowship of the Ring, knowledge and possession of the Ring led him down a dark path. The narrator in The Fellowship of the Ring told us, “…and he put his knowledge to crooked and malicious uses” (p. 52). Leaders should be cautious about how power and knowledge are used. Ethical guiding principles are essential to prevent corruption. The Ring represented temptation that can corrupt even the most innocent. Leaders must be aware of temptations and resist shortcuts or unethical decisions that might seem beneficial in the short term but are harmful in the long run.

Gollum’s downfall illustrates how losing sight of integrity can lead to destructive behavior. We should prioritize honesty and moral values to maintain trust and uphold our responsibilities. Gollum’s internal conflict highlights the importance of self-awareness. As leaders we need to be self-aware of our motivations and biases to make wiser choices and avoid being led astray by negative influences.

It also said of Gollum that “The ring had given him power according to his stature” (p. 53) I believe Tolkien was suggesting that Gollum’s sense of power and influence was directly proportional to his own perception of importance or worth. The Ring amplified his personal attributes of obsession, desire, and cunning. This made him feel more significant than he actually was. It emphasized how Gollum’s sense of power was rooted in his obsession with the Ring (a possession), and how this “power” was a reflection of his inner character and psychological state rather than any true or substantial influence or authority. It highlighted that Gollum’s sense of power was self-made and internally driven, shaped by the Ring’s influence. Gollum’s story underscores the importance of ethical behavior, integrity, and self-awareness for effective and trustworthy leadership.