How Can You Win if You Don’t Play? 

Winning!  Everyone likes to be a winner but not everyone will cross the finish line or make the winning goal. 

Standing at the sidelines, never involving yourself will guarantee that you never reach the winner’s circle. It takes guts and fortitude to put yourself out there, knowing that your knees are knocking, your voice sounds shaky, but determination and belief in what you are saying will begin to open doors. The right doors.

Dedication and determination go a long way to making our life dreams a reality. The direction, the paths we choose, are baby steps to the goal. Forget ‘overnight sensations’ because one can easily spend years and years honing their craft before realizing measurable success.

Take my friend, Jeri, who is an author of health books. She longs for a NY Times Best Seller designation for her latest masterpiece and believe me when I tell you she has put in her time, success is surely at her doorstep. Writing health books requires a huge dedication to determine what has worked previously and what is new today – deep research, hours with your eyes glued to the computer screen as information is ferreted out then reassembled with great thought into a manuscript.

And then there is Betsy, a most talented, self-taught photographer who owns only the latest and greatest photography and computer equipment made today. Think she just walked into that gig? No, hours and hours that are now years and years of dedicated practice with film, then digital, lighting techniques, editing and more has brought Betsy some success as she strives for more recognition.

Not giving up, not giving in when the road seems tough, and daunting is the true sign of a warrior. Yes, success requires that you take the mantle of a fierce warrior to ward off all the slings and arrows life can throw because you will suffer disappointment along the way – it’s just part of life. But when success happens, it’s like the dawn of a bright light sent from the Heavens.

No matter your profession or endeavor, no matter if you just want to change the shape and contour of your face, perseverance is a virtue that separates you from the rest of the crowd.