Mystery of my Relative Success!

I know so well my failures. I did not "make it" as a priest. I failed to successfully get my doctoral dissertation accepted. I failed to become a hospital director.

I now view all these disasters from the perspective that I did relatively well, "given my limitations".

I never was able to "adapt" to reality. I always thought that people would "see" the truth if it was explained to them. I now realize that if I belonged to a more "democratic church", one that I support in theory, I would never be selected as a pastor. There would be so many that would oppose my views and I would not demonstrate the ability to waltz with the singers. I tried maneuvering through the Berkeley Graduate Theological Union to transition from the clergy to become a psychologist. It was not viewed positively by those on my committee and I had not learned how to deal with the political dynamics involved in graduate education. Within the hospital system, I continue to voice objections to policies that brought out some tension between me and those in power.

Given all that, it is a wonder that I actually was employed for nearly 35 years, that I was somewhat productive, even if I often laughingly thought that most people who noted my e-mail messages etc. would simply hit the "delete button". I know that I am no where near the parent that my wife is, but somehow or other, I did not hamper her success with our children.

When it is all said and done, given the limitations, I did o.k.