Sunset in Camiguin | Jojie Alcantara

“Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

For a few of my friends who are afraid to take the risk, failure sets them back because they fear ridicule and falling down on their feet.  For me, failure is not a setback, it’s a constant reminder to do better when another opportunity arises.  It keeps me grounded.  I love to tell my stories of failure in workshops to those who think I sailed smoothly in my field of work… and in my life, for that matter.

Embrace your mistakes.  But don’t repeat them.  Once you acknowledge them,  pick up the pieces, and move on.

Camiguin Island is a magical spot in the Philippine archipelago. Here, while waiting for a glorious sunset, I tumbled and lost my footing several times while balancing my way to these kids who were playing on the rocks.  I needed to get them into my sunset frame.  So I pursued the moment, where I only have several seconds to a golden sundown.

The thing is, you must learn to befriend and play with the kids, too, if you don’t want to end up with an empty landscape.