I know what you mean about feeling like a failure, I feel that a lot. Sometimes I wonder if its love or fear of admitting failure that keeps me going. I know deep inside its love but I hate failing, and I hate the idea of trying to tell someone some day that I have already failed once. I guess it is what it is and I would rather fall flat on my face in failure then give up, and that goes for anything!!
You summed up exactly how I feel JWS, it's so nice that I am not alone in those feelings.