IT'S EASIER TO TRY THAN TO PROVE IT CAN'T BE DONE

(Quote above from the Moody Blues)

Some soaring pilots rush to the airport gleefully knowing they'll soon add to a growing trove of knowledge, capability and lifelong memories. Others trudge out anticipating yet another defeat, the one declaration they know they can always live 'up' to. As a species we're like golfers that way, a few excelling as if by royal right while loyal duffers look on, wondering how. Yet remarkably even the hopeless stick with it, for failure in belief so passionate, much as that hurts, satisfies better than never believing in the first place. (Those royal right individuals just always have better luck it seems; but be honest, isn't it often the kind of manufactured luck that only the most thoughtful and meticulous – and POSITIVE – enjoy?)  Reasons for this stratification between aces and wannabees are many, some beyond our control and others less so.

One element that makes a huge difference is EXPECTATION. At some point well before the present comes a moment when we choose, consciously or otherwise, which kind of prophecy to self-fulfill. Some see their latest failure as confirmation that fate is indeed aligned against them, resignation always followed by another disappointed landing. Others embrace it as a vital phase prerequisite to ultimate success. These optimists are usually right of course, but even when they're not...

It's important to recognize that one's state of mind can profoundly effect what happens next, and how those ensuing events also are perceived: essential steps toward victory, or further proof of unworthiness? If we expect to fail we're almost certain to, because we'll look less carefully for vital information and be more prone to giving up before we absolutely must. If we expect to succeed there's always good reason to continue trying, and searching for other ways to try. True fact: when we do just keep trying at the very least we end up with longer flights – and who knows what that might lead to.

So which do YOU choose?