"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
Thomas Edison

The light bulb reminds us to recognize the value of persevering, the importance of discussing new ideas, to believe in ourselves when others do not and to communicate the value of what we are trying to do. As we go about trying to accomplish our goals we face challenges, issues and individuals that present roadblocks along the way.  Thomas Edison faced over 700 roadblocks as he was trying to electric light. When a New York Times reporter asked: "How does it feel to have failed seven hundred times?" he responded: "I have not failed seven hundred times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those seven hundred ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work." Several thousand more of these successes followed, but Edison finally found the one that would work, and invented the electric light.

The MEAPA Way suggests that individuals, business, schools, communities and other organizations can learn a variety of lessons from this story by watching any one of the videos on this link and answering the following questions:

• How did Edison's invention of the light bulb demonstrate an ability to rebound from failure?
• How did the light bulb completely change the way people lived and worked?
• Upon creating the light bulb, what else did Edison do to demonstrate the value of his invention? Why was this necessary?
• As you seek to further your personal and professional development, what lesson/s can you take from this story and apply it to your ability to rebound from failure, discuss new ideas, believe in yourself when others do not and communicate your value?