When Are You Defeated?

Defeat never comes to any man until he admits it. – Josephus Daniels

. . . when you give up.

When you stop learning and trying.

When you decide that (the illusion of) safety and stagnation is better than intelligent risks and action.

Losing is not defeat.

“Failure” is not defeat.

Not-getting-what-you-want is not defeat.

Just keep going.

Learn from what happens.

That’s how you win regardless of the “score.”

Similar Posts

  • The Folly of Anger

    Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. – Buddha This is an oldie, but a goodie. Take a minute to let this one sink in . . . . The next time you’re inclined to pick…

  • Suffering vs. Pain

    I was listening to a WNPR (CT Public Radio) radio show (The Colin McEnroe Show) and he was interviewing Byron Katie (of The Work). In their conversation Katie said something to effect of “all suffering comes from thought.” This McEnroe took some issue with. It was, unfortunately, a mis-understanding borne of not defining the term…

  • The First Step

    Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. – Roald Dahl You must believe, first. And, to the extent you believe, you will have energy, purpose and staying power. But…

  • The Beauty of Service

    Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. – C.S. Lewis Real humility is where kindness comes from. When we think of ourselves less, when we know we’re okay, we can look beyond ourselves. This is where and when really, really cool things can happen. This is where service happens. Any…

  • It Is ALL About Priorities

    “Action expresses priorities.” – Mahatma Gandhi This is such a vital, critical truth. It’s true in two ways: First, our results – what we have created as a result of our actions – are 100%, no-exceptions, a mirror of our priorities. What we have or don’t have (good/bad relationships, healthy or un-healthy weight, sound finances or crushing…