“There are no exceptions to the rule that everyone likes to be an exception to the rule.” – Charles Osgood
“How glorious it is, and also how painful, to be an exception.” – Alfred de Musset
I’m sure you’ve heard it as often as I have, and even said it so many times: “There is always an exception to the rule.” Yes, as Osgood said, we all not only like to be an exception to the rule, we also feel like we are. This can be both good and useful or bad and harmful.
Growing up, I was one of those young women who loved horses and riding. From the beginning I was taught that if you were thrown or fell off your horse for any reason, it was important that you get back up. Otherwise the next time you ride you would be worried and of course the horse would know and take advantage of the situation. This served as a good lesson to live life with exception.
What do i mean? I feel like every time we experience failure or setback, without exception, we get up and keep trying. In most cases, this exception to the rule works. Many give up. However, reading about successes and successes, I have found that most of those who are successful have already experienced the pain of failure (s) and just got up and moved on.
I like to consider myself an exception, so when I fell before giving my three scheduled fitness classes, I got up and proceeded to teach all three. Not only did I teach them, I tried to keep exercising. After all, I felt that I would heal faster by exercising than sitting or lying down (remember, I am an “exception”).
After the pain became excruciating, I went to Sports Medicine, had new X-rays taken, had surgery on my hip fracture, and went on idle projects. I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t get back up and keep trying. However, I am suggesting that in most cases we should take the time to examine our downfall, failure, or setback:
Is there a better and different direction that we should try?
- However, do we just need to make a few adjustments?
- What did we learn from this?
- How can we apply what we learned in the future?
- What is our attitude? Whining, moaning, and groaning will get us nowhere.
- What good will or can this come from?
When I searched for “exception” and “exceptional”, I came across some interesting quotes, so here are a few:
- “There are two great rules in life, one general and the other particular. The first is that everyone can eventually get what they want if they just try. This is the general rule. The particular rule is that each individual is more or less. minus one exception to the general rule. ” – Samuel Butler
- “You can only govern men by serving them. The rule is without exception.” – Victor Kiam
- “With the possible exception of the equator, it all starts somewhere.” – CS Lewis
- “For example, I tend to personally reward myself for specific acts of exceptional discipline.” – Robert Vaughn
To leave us all with some inspiration, Jean Huston wrote: “I firmly believe that all human beings have access to extraordinary energies and powers. Judging by accounts of mystical experience, increased creativity, or exceptional performance from athletes and artists, we harbor a longer life than we know. “