By focusing on activities wherein, even if we fail, we still benefit in some way, we cannot lose.
This means involving ourselves in tasks, projects, and relationships that benefit us simply by our having participated in them.
In other words, if the experience itself is rewarding in some way that is of greater value than the resources we expend, there is simply no downside for us.
This is not selfish. It is purely practical. We should look for ways to win even if we fail.
Excessive pride leads to or directly causes many, if not most, of life‘s problems.
But going too far in the opposite direction is no better.
Negative pride turns us into perpetual pushovers, victims to the will of others, incapable of or unwilling to stand up for ourselves or anything that matters.
What we need is neither pride nor the total absence of pride, but dignity.
If we challenge ourselves often enough, we will reach our breaking point. We will feel like we want to quit.
In these moments, if we do not quit, if we persevere and push forward, we will learn things about ourselves and tap into parts of ourselves that would otherwise remain hidden.
We may still fail. Persistence does not guarantee success.
But this failure will always be worth the effort.
Fear is a deceptive emotion.
Sometimes our fear is our ego’s barrier between where we are and where we should be going, telling us exactly that which we should pursue by acting in spite of our fear.
Other times, our fear is a warning sign telling us to take another path in order to avoid imminent danger.
Both manifestations may feel exactly the same.
Wisdom is knowing the difference and acting accordingly.
Life does not stop simply because we are unprepared.
Opportunity is not going to wait patiently for us to show up.
Our level of readiness often determines the opportunities available to us.
This means showing up for life early and putting in the work so that, when opportunity arrives, we are there to greet it with open arms and a smile.
Meditations on God 