Few things in life are free.  However, many things in life cost nothing IF we view the sacrifice as an INVESTMENT instead of as a COST. Giving up something now often results in much more later.  "You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make."  Gordon B. Hinckley 

There is a huge difference between "25 years of experience" and "one year of experience, repeated 25 times".  Simply living a long time or doing something over and over again, doesn't mean we are getting better.  ​"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."  John Wooden 

"How good do you want to be?"  The better question is "How great are you going to allow yourself to be?" "Talent sets the floor. Character sets the ceiling."  Bill Belichick 

Most of the anxiety in society exists from the perception that our current circumstances that we find ourselves are somehow "new" or "unique" or "never been done" or "worse than ever".  It may be true that the specifics may be novel but in general, life is messy and full of challenges.  There have always been and will always be times to learn and practice perseverance.  Avoiding is not an option. Today is just another day to get better and improve on our ability to overcome challenges.  "I do not think there is any quality so essential to the success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."  John Rockefeller 

I was told at a young age that "the only thing you learn from 'not caring' about something is 'how to not care'".  We create all kinds of habits in our life.  'Not caring' is a habit that is created by 'not caring'.  Passion is the antithesis of 'not caring' and passion gives us the motivation to push through when other distractions and temptations exist.  'Passion' is an emotion but emotions can be controlled and managed for our benefit.  Passion is defined as a "strong and barely controllable emotion".  We have to allow ourselves to lose control and to be passionate.  "All great achievements have one thing in common--people with a passion to succeed."  Pat Cash 

Sleeping in should be a reward and not a habit.  I haven't met many people who are successful in life who think that 8am is "early".  "It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste." Henry Ford 

If you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly bring the water to boil, the frog will just sit there and cook to death.  "A little negative thing must be dealt with immediately--before it becomes a big negative thing." Mike Krzyzewski 

When we say "I can't", we are often saying "I choose not to".  I choose not to work harder.  I choose not to sacrifice.  I choose not to take a risk.  I choose not to get uncomfortable.  I choose not to trust.  I choose not to believe.  I choose not to make the time.  I choose not to seek help.  I choose not to listen to advice given to me.  I choose not to move beyond my victim mentality and realize that each new day is an opportunity to grow and make my life better.  ​"I Can't = I Certainly Am Not Trying."  Author unknown

When we encourage someone, we "instill courage" in them.  Courage gives someone that belief to do something they may not have previously thought they could accomplish.  We all need to be people who "instill courage".  Equally important, we need to be people who allow ourselves to be  courageous.  Failing to receive encouragement and therefore, be courageous, will prevent us from reaching our full potential.  ​"Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount."  Clare Booth Luce 

​​Tension refers to being "stretched tight".  Obviously, when things are overly stretched, they may break or snap and that could be a really bad thing.  Tension can also impede movement.  When something is tense, it loses it's mobility.  This is why "tension" has a negative connotation.  However, there are things in our lives that must be stretched in order to allow room for growth or to grow themselves.  For examples, are muscles are stretched through weight training so that they can get bigger.  Tension in certain areas of our life is not only inevitable but it is necessary for growth to occur.  We should not avoid tension in every aspect of our lives but instead, we must identify and recognize when tension is actually beneficial to our growth and then embrace that tension.  Tension can come in the form of relationships, school work, financial distress, health challenges, and many other things. Often times, life puts us in a situation where we are stretched and forced to respond to that tension and that is how we move beyond our current state and grow and eventually reach our full potential.