PEBBLE
It’s possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That’s not weakness, that’s life.
~Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation, shared by Amanda in South Lake Tahoe, CA
BOULDER
When you are struggling with an apparent defeat, remember that you have control of how this situation can benefit you in the long run. Knowing you have good intentions can help you see that the current storm in your life fosters an eventual rainbow.
~Jennifer, written and shared by Jennifer in Janesville, WI
PONDER
I am not a fan of vegetables.
Yeah, yeah… I know—they’re good for you, and you’re supposed to eat lots of them. And I do eat them. Like a lot of adulting tasks, it got easier once I stopped trying to like vegetables and just focused on eating them. (Also: our air fryer has definitely made some veggies much less yucky—and in a few cases… gasp… almost yummy.)
You know what else I’m not a fan of? Losing.
I don’t like losing at Candy Crush. I don’t like losing when playing cards. And I really don’t like “losing” in my work life. But guess what? It happens. Every Candy Crush streak eventually crashes. Sometimes you’re dealt cards you just can’t play your way out of. And no matter how many wonderful events I get asked to speak at, it still stings when a group chooses someone else.
It turns out that losing—like vegetables—has some important upsides, even if it isn’t particularly yummy. It cultivates humility. It can reveal opportunities for growth. And it helps me appreciate the many wins in my life.
I don’t need to be a fan of losing to recognize its gifts. The trick is keeping losses in perspective—and giving myself permission to have a few thoughts and a few feels while I process them.
Turns out, that’s part of a healthy diet, too.
Peace,
Paul