Failure.

I often wonder why we're so afraid of failure.  One of my favorite parts of "The Geography of Bliss" (terrific book!) was the chapter about Iceland, and how one of the things that creates happiness among the residents there is that they have no real fear of failure.  Everyone is encouraged to try anything and everything, and there is no negative emotion connected to not succeeding at something.  People are encouraged to try more than one job, school, hobby, and if they don't love it, it's still considered positive that they tried it.  They support artists and don't believe in the notion of "starving artists", because they are attempting something good.  I love that.

When I am old(er) and look back on my life, I don't find much value in saying "I succeeded" at a few things.  I'd rather look back and see that my life was full, because I tried so many things.  The trying and not being afraid to fail is the only way to discover things I might actually be good at, you know?