This past week, I was sent three seemingly unrelated yet inspirational articles. With an extra cup of strong coffee this morning, their real message hit me. When combined, they make for fascinating reading.

Let’s start with failure. This facebook link shows how many of the popular heroes of history have suffered failure in those areas, when their mythos would have us believe otherwise. The motto? Without failure, you have not lived and you then have an increased chance to go on to success.

Now go to another corner. Rabbi Hammer  is a resident of Sderot, famous for being constantly shelled  from Gaza. He probably leads a very different life to the gentleman who posted the item on failure. The rabbi has commented on his exasperation in dealing with his teenage children, unusual for a man who is supposed to have all the answers to family distress situations. More failure, yes?

Hammer found his way out of the conumdrum by looking at how others have succeeded in similar situations. Love can be maintained and expressed, even when you disagree, possibly disagree fundamentally. Anger is sometimes an emotional disguise for a desperation to get it right together.

My third story relates to a reality TV series. 2 povactive, rude, intelligent British teenagers were taken to Israel and placed for a week in the home of an ultra-orthodox, socially conservative family.  The result was an extremely volatile week, where two beautiful youths learnt how to convert their weaknesses into strengths.

So, your past may not have brought you the success or peace of mind you deserve. You probably have the clarity to know that you really want to achieve that success. the question is how to manage and develop your skills towards a successful future.

Is this what Obama is telling leaders of the Middle East? More to the point; is he really ignoring them, but engaging with the people at large? The past is full of war and hate – that is not a sign of triumph.