Every time we fail, we are offered a lesson. It may feel heavy in the moment, but failure actually helps us understand what doesn’t work. It sharpens our thinking, helps us grow, and prepares us better for the next time. On the other hand, excuses act like rust. They slowly eat away our confidence, weaken our will, and trap us in the same place. Instead of growing, we begin to shrink. That’s why learning from failure is useful, but making excuses is damaging.

Imagine a student who didn’t do well in an exam. One choice is to blame the teacher, the timing, or bad luck. But these are just excuses. Another choice is to ask, “Where did I go wrong?” and take responsibility. Maybe they didn’t study enough, or they didn’t revise properly. By owning the result, they get the power to change it next time. That shift from blaming to owning changes everything.

Taking responsibility isn’t about feeling guilty. It’s about understanding that your actions matter. When we let go of our reasons and start owning our journey, we become stronger. We learn more, grow faster, and move closer to the life we truly want.