Deborah Smith

Frustration and failure are a part of life.

If we do not flee from them but accept them calmly,

we come to know what we need to do next.

You have not screwed up your life

just because you screwed up an exam.

Nor is your life a failure

just because your business failed.

When you have had a negative experience,

be wary of thoughts that

make it seem worse than it is.

The first step to overcoming failure

is to fully admit you have failed.

Admitting it will put your mind at ease

and help you to see what you ought to do next.

Having too much success too young

is one of life’s greatest perils.

Don’t try to climb higher than you can go before you’re ready.

You will get there step-by-step.

Having too much success too young

is one of life’s greatest perils.

Don’t try to climb higher than you can go before you’re ready.

You will get there step-by-step.

When something hasn’t turned out well,

don’t give up; keep going,

and try different ways of making it work.

There is no fixed answer, no single solution.

Try solving this riddle:

“Do you know which role

is the most difficult one in your company?”

Answer: “The role I am assigned to.”

Rather than fight our feelings, we should honor them by allowing them to be there and witnessing how their energy moves inside us. Does it manifest as a flushed face, muscle tension, or elevated heartbeat? Without identifying with the emotions, observe them in a detached yet caring way.

THERE IS NOT ONLY RAGE and hatred inside us, but also sadness and grief, loneliness and terror. But that is not all. There is also the compassionate inner eye looking at such emotions with equanimity.

Underneath someone’s violent nature,

there is always fear, rooted in

either childhood or present circumstances.

Underneath that fear lurks

hurt and vulnerability.

If you really want to forgive someone,

look beneath the surface and see what is there.