Attempt: (v) to make an effort to achieve or complete something, typically a difficult task or action.

In a recent article by a young blogger, I read his assessment of what he considered to be the summary of life.

He stated that on each of our tombstones should be carved one of two words: success or failure.

He contended that the determination of that inscription was totally our decision.

The wonderful thing about being young is that you have many years to correct your dumb assertions.

There are many things that can be our final epitaph–not just the issue of success or failure. And honestly, much of the success or failure we experience is based upon what the market will endure.

Are people ready to hear? Are people prepared to change? Because the failure of one crusader in his time becomes the common knowledge of the next generation.

So here’s what could be written on my tombstone–preferably in crayon.

Attempted.

• I attempted to play football, and was quite good until laziness took over.
• I attempted to be a good father considering the fact that I was more suited to a Bohemian lifestyle.
• I attempted to take my talent and use it to benefit human beings.
• I attempted to be a good lover, though sometimes I felt I lacked the necessary equipment and opportunities.
• I attempted to be solvent, bouncing between abasing and abounding.
• I attempted to evolve my thinking in a day and age when getting older is equated with stubbornness.
• I attempted to lose weight and so far have only succeeded in preventing myself from ballooning to circus proportions.
• I attempted to travel the country from town-to-town with a Johnny Appleseed approach for my message.
• I attempted to be a generous human being, reaching into my often-meager pot to distribute my goods
• I attempted to stop lying because it was my reasonable service.

I attempted.

Success is over-rated because it is often determined by others who desert the ship when there’s a “new skipper in town.” And of course, failure can often be just a lack of ears to hear.

I am an attempter.

I am proud of it.

It fulfills me.

I need no other praise than the confidence that sweeps my soul when I have completed that which I have been challenged–by myself–to do.

Thank you for enjoying Words from Dic(tionary) —  J.R. Practix