Each major success is made up of a series of smaller successes - and of many failures - yours or someone else's. Learn from mistake. Make it your goal to find out WHY.

One reason for failure is setting goals that are difficult, even impossible, to achieve. Many baby steps add up to a whole success. Success is accomplished by setting one small, achievable, goal at a time.

We are our own worst critic. When we fail, we make it a reflection of our "self." It seems we usually identify our "self" with our mistakes instead of our achievements. That is one mistake you do NOT want to make. Your mistake is not YOU.

Don't overlook your successes. You need them to look back on when those nasty surprises pop up. Remember them when you think you're a failure.

So, in 2004, don't say, "Failure is not an option." Instead, say, "I can change it to a success by _______ (insert your own solution)!

Slowly her condition stabilized, and she was released, and guess what? She started walking only on her hind legs, instead of usual gait of macaques, which is alternating between upright movement and walking on all fours. The veterinarian said he’s never seen or heart of this before.

Whatever cause, Natasha is changed forever from her experience, but doing just fine, and maybe even better.

We can do this too. While we would never wish for adversity to strike, it can transform us, causing us to change and become more resilient.

“Affliction comes to us,” said H. G. Wells, British philosopher, “not to make us sad, but sober; not to make us sorry, but wise.”

In fact, when adversity strikes, we often have sense that we will never be same again. It can lift us up and transform us, difficult as it is at time. Whatever Natasha experienced, as she lay close to death, she will never be same again, and look at her now! GO NATASHA!