Fall Forward

We all wrestle with fear - the fear of failing, of being judged, of reaching too far and falling flat. But what if falling wasn’t the enemy? What if it was the path? In a moving speech that’s part pep talk, part life manifesto, Denzel Washington invites us to rethink risk, reframe failure, and run boldly toward a life we’re truly capable of living. His message? Don’t fall back. Fall forward.

“I’ve found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.

“Nothing.

“Nelson Mandela said: “There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that’s less than the one you’re capable of living.”

“I’m sure in your experiences—in school… in applying to college… in picking your major… in deciding what you want to do with life—people have told you to make sure you have something to “fall back on.”

“But I’ve never understood that concept, having something to fall back on.

“If I’m going to fall, I don’t want to fall back on anything, except my faith. I want to fall… forward.

“At least I figure that way I’ll see what I’m about to hit.

“Fall forward.

“Here’s what I mean:

“Reggie Jackson struck out twenty-six-hundred times in his career—the most in the history of baseball.

“But you don’t hear about the strikeouts. People remember the home runs.

“Fall forward.

“Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments. Did you know that?

“I didn’t either—because #1,001 was the light bulb.

“Fall forward.

“Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.”

_{Source: Washington, Denzel. University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 16 May 2011. Commencement Address.}