The Old Man and the Sea

What is failure? Maybe it is merely the result of a weak mind, a lack of determination, the absence of the will to succeed...
True failure occurs when obstacles stop progress. But obstacles need not do that. Each could also be seen as an opportunity for alternatives, a chance to open the mind to unchartered grounds. Failure may just be a mental condition. A person cannot fail if the mind has not given up. In the end, it is the strength of the mind that determines success.
Hemingway's "Old man and the sea" illustrates that beautifully. The old fisherman, Santiago, battled an 18 foot marlin against many obstacles. He won the battle against the 18 foot marlin when he finally caught it. However, he lost the battle against the sharks who attacked him and his marlin. Although he managed to slay seven sharks, he could not keep the marlin intact. The sharks had devoured its carcass, leaving behind an 18 foot skeleton that Santiago took home. He had won the battle against his physical self when he wearily reached his home at the end of the book. It did not matter that he failed to bring home any catch to sell. Santiago had won the battle against himself! Have you?