One of the rules of the Benedictine order, I learned at Subiaco, was to convert continually. To change wholly always. To constantly turn completely toward His love. To fail can be a great thing, a humbling and illuminating experience, an education all its own. Failure will show you who your friends are and, more important, who you are.
Failure restores perspective.
It obliterates earlier obsessions. And after the initial shock, it eases the mind. One walks more lightly. There was a time when I couldn't bear to mention my experience at Columbia, and now I can hardly wait to introduce it into the conversation. I'm not sure which attitude is more shameful.