Today, I have been alive (as in outside the womb) for 23,614 days.

This is equivalent to 3,373 weeks and 3 days.

Hold that thought…

How many tests does it take to create a lightbulb?

The popular legend says that Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times while inventing the commercially viable electric lightbulb. Although the historical accuracy of this exact number is debated (his team tested thousands of filaments, but not necessarily with 10,000 full "failures"), it remains a cultural shorthand for resilience.

The story I remember is of a journalist pointing out the number of failures to Edison, to which Edison quipped, “I haven’t failed, I’ve merely discovered 10,000 ways NOT to invent the lightbulb!”

The most credible figure comes from Edison's own diary and notes. In his *Menlo Park Notebook N-24-01.0* (1879), he documented over 6,000 tests for the electric light system, including filaments, seals, and electrical consistency.

“I have tested 6,000 vegetable growths, and ransacked the world for the most suitable filament material.”

— Thomas Edison (as reported in The New York Times, 1880)

So, while the exact number of "filament-only" tests was around 1,600, the total system tests (which included failures in sealing, electrical flow, and bulb design) were closer to 6,000.

Edison didn’t quit until he got the results he wanted.

The truth is that my life really, really, really hasn’t turned out as I wanted. And I’m no hero – instead, surrendering to the despair to the point of suicidal ideation far too many times. So how is the massively positive example of Edison and his team relevant to a quitter like me?

I guess you would have to have a similar ‘Aha!’ moment. I realised one day last week that I’ve had 23,000 days where I haven’t had the life I’d prefer (assuming I’ve had 614 pretty darn good days at least!) My witty comment to myself then because, “I haven’t failed, I’ve merely discovered 23,000 ways NOT to live the life I desire!” This was my lightbulb moment – pun intended.

Edison was saying to the journalist, “Hey, I haven’t finished yet! No one is in a better position to achieve my goal of creating the electric lightbulb because no one has as much experience in seeking to do exactly that!”

No one has as much experience in you in seeking to create the life you desire. No one is in a better position to make changes in The Great Experiment of Life until you get at least more of the results you want. You are not finished yet!

I’ve had a couple of entries in the Omaze competitions for the house of one’s dreams. Whilst I’ve not expected to win, I have wondered how much life would be transformed with a home of my own. That ‘miracle’ is a competition win away. Though it is not likely, it is possible. Everything is impossible to those who quit, but for those who don’t quit, who knows…

May you have a lightbulb moment.

Lex

A Moodscope member