Category Archives: Setbacks

We often think that the game of life is all about winning

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We often think that the game of life is all about winning. Actually, it’s about continuing to play and learning along the way.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Giorgio Trovato

We often believe that life is all about winning — chasing success, trophies, or the next milestone. But what if the real joy comes from not from the finish line, but from staying in the game?

Life isn’t a race with just one winner — it’s a journey meant for persistent participation and growth.

Every day brings a new opportunity to learn, adapt, and evolve.

Setbacks aren’t signs of defeat — they’re chances to reflect and refine our approach. When we focus on continuing to play, rather than solely on winning, we open ourselves to deeper connections, personal growth, and lasting fulfillment.

So celebrate the process, embrace the lessons, and remember: the true victory is found in playing, learning, and growing — again and again.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading “Finite and Infinite Games” by James P. Carse to explore a vision of life as play and possibility.

 

“Don’t let one cloud obliterate the whole sky.”

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“Don’t let one cloud obliterate the whole sky.”

—Anaïs Nin, 20th Century French-American diarist & novelist

Image from Unsplash by C Dustin

Our quote today encourages us not to let any single problem overshadow all the good in our lives.

Just as one cloud cannot cover the vastness of the sky, one setback shouldn’t eclipse our happiness or hope.

Life is filled with moments of beauty, joy, and opportunity.

When difficulties arise, acknowledge them, but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.

Keep your focus on the bright spots and remember that clouds pass, revealing clear skies once again.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional world can you apply the idea of not letting one cloud block your entire outlook?

What strategies help you stay positive during these dark and difficult time?

Friday Review: Setbacks

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FRIDAY REVIEW: SETBACKS

We all experience setbacks now and then. Here are a few setback-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.

“Temporary setbacks boost your skill to open locks with previously unknown combinations.”

 

 

 

“Their ‘Can’t’ is my trumpet.”

 

 

 

 

 

“The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.”
 

 

 

Friday Review on Setbacks

Posted on by

FRIDAY REVIEW: Setbacks

We all experience setbacks now and then. Here are a few setback-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.

 

“Temporary setbacks boost your skill to open locks with previously unknown combinations.”

 

 

 

“Their ‘Can’t’ is my trumpet.”

 

 

 

“The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.”

 

 

 

The Darkest Nights

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“The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.”

—Author Unknown

Image of the Milky Way

Milky Way Image from NASA.gov

If you enjoy viewing the night sky, or are an avid stargazer, you’re probably somewhat disappointed these days. The thousands of stars we were once able to see each night are now obscured by the glare of city and industrial lighting and the haze of pollution.

Sometimes life’s difficulties, challenges, and setbacks—our darkest nights—can provide a high degree of illumination on brighter possibilities.

EXERCISE:

In what ways do you block the lessons available to you through your darkest nights? How can you view those moments through a new lens, finding brightly shining lessons to light your path in the future?

their can’t

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“Their ‘Can’t’ is my trumpet.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from Flickr by Mauro Hiroshi Cannas

Image from Flickr by Mauro Hiroshi Cannas

One of my favorite authors is Seth Godin. I particularly like his recent book, “What to Do When it’s Your Turn.” The subtitle, “And it’s Always Your Turn,” is a key element of his brilliance.

Too often we are hoping to be picked for the team, asked to dance, or selected for promotions or other desired opportunities. We all frequently experience setbacks, disappointments, and others telling us what we can and can’t do.

EXERCISE:

How can you take Brendon’s coaching and let the “Can’t” be your own trumpeting call, to boldly choose yourself and realize more of your full potential?

temporary setbacks

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“Temporary setbacks boost your skill to open locks with previously unknown combinations.”

—Laurent F. Carrel, Messages from Melanie

Image of a combination lock

Image from Flickr by Rob Pongsajapan

Think about the places and things you secure with a lock. In our youth, we locked our bicycles, and our personal items in a school locker. Today, most of us have far too many passwords to keep all of our important accounts and electronic devices secure.

What if we considered an unsolved problem or a setback we are facing as merely having a temporary lock placed on it?

What if our job is simply to increase our safe-cracking abilities to reveal the treasured solutions inside?

EXERCISE:

In addition to coaches, mentors, advisors, and answers on Google, what additional strategies or tools could you employ to boost your skills at opening locks with unknown combinations?