We all know that failure is a part of life. You fail here, you get rejected there - it happens to the best of us. It's happened to Walt Disney and Oprah Winfrey and every successful actor, musician, scientist, comedian, and hero. But it has also happened to a lot of people who never managed to see success. Actors whose names we will never hear of, scientists without a single publication, and aspiring comedians whose jokes won't ever be heard by more than a handful of people. 

But how do we know which failures are just an obstacle in the road or a hint from the universe that we just suck and should stop wasting our time? How do we know if we're an Oprah or a mediocre Jane Smith?

Is there strength in continuing to try and remaining hopeful despite countless failures, or is it just a sign of delusion?

Is it a weakness to give up after numerous failures, or is it a sign of rational and realistic thinking?  

How much luck is involved in success? How much of a role does confidence and determination play? Can I really "manifest" success?