Just because life has let you down doesn’t mean that you must let yourself down. Pick yourself up, quickly take a positive step, and know that you’re closer to reaching your goal than you’ve ever been before. You’ve been through some of the hard part and already experienced some of the difficulty you must go through. So keep going, and make that experience count. Change your approach if that’s what is called for. Learn from where you’ve been, adapt and adjust your efforts to be even more effective. Every day, every encounter, and every outcome is a new opportunity to move yourself forward. Keep yourself focused on the goal you’ve chosen, and keep yourself moving in the best way you know how. The disappointments are just as much a part of the process as the victories. Be truly thankful for it all, and in your gratitude you’ll find a way to put it all to positive use. Whatever has happened is a perfect reason to keep going. Keep going, and create the life you have chosen to live.

— Ralph Marston