As we navigate life’s failures there is a story that can help to frame our understanding. There was a man who was a botanist. He loved and took pride in his profession. Locally, a prominent businessman had a large botanical garden, which was open to the public. One day, the businessman approached the botanist about planting a weeping willow at its entrance.
Envisioning a huge, beautiful tree at the entrance, the task was accepted. The next few months were spent studying soil and water samples, the climate and the willow species. Finally, this dedicated botanist travelled thousands of miles to get the perfect willow, which was lovingly brought back and planted.
Months later, to his horror, the specimen never really took. At the garden’s entrance now stood a sickly bush. Yet, the businessman came to the botanist to thank him and was ecstatic. At first, the confused botanist thought it was sarcasm, but then realized he was serious. The botanist drew from his scientific knowledge explaining, “willows are supposed to be…” The content businessman cut off his reasoning and stated, “No, no! It’s perfect! Exactly what I wanted.” To express his gratitude, the businessman paid triple his agreed commission. So, was the tree project a failure or a success?