In life, failure is a possibility, but believe and act as if you expect to succeed. 

Take risks to move to higher levels.  You can’t fall off the bottom.  Keep your expectations high for yourself, and low for everyone else.

Deep down inside, you know what’s right and wrong, so don’t do what you shouldn’t be doing.  Dare to be bold. You can’t get something if you risk nothing, and if you risk nothing, you risk everything.

Believe that you really do have worth, and then do something that reflects that belief.  Plan as if what you do really matters, and then do something with that insight.  Serve as if what you do really makes a difference and give more than you get.

We sometimes develop the idea that life should be different than it is.  Veronica A. Shoffstall may have had this in mind when she wrote her article titled “Comes the Dawn.”   The following are some of my favorite statements from her writings: After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul.  And you learn that love doesn’t mean security, and you learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises.  And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.  And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain.  And futures have a way of falling down in mid flight.  After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much, so plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.  Learn that you really can endure, that you really are strong, and you really do have worth.  In this manner, you learn and learn, with every goodbye you learn.  (End quote)  

The reality is that life is just a phase you’re going through.  You’ll get over it!  So, before you criticize anyone, walk a mile in their shoes.  That way, if they get angry, they’ll be a mile away – and barefoot.  Look for the lessons in life…They’re everywhere.  There is absolutely no evidence that life is fair.  Accept that.  

As a retired psychotherapist, I’ve learned a lot about life.  Some of my favorites are:  That life is a very high price to pay for maturity, that a conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good, and that going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a mechanic.  Experience is a wonderful thing.  It helps you recognize a mistake every time you make it again.  And finally, blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.