A Place in the Sun

It is interesting to me that some of the most pertinent quotes regarding success come from generals.  For example, Colin Powell said “there is no secret to success, it is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure.”  George Patton said, “success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.”
What I find fascinating is how both, though very successful, learned important lessons from failure.  To me it is just the way it is that on the road to success there are potholes of failure.  As I so often say there are no losers until they give up.
But success is not guaranteed with out  effort.  As I read that someone said, “you can’t expect to make a place in the sun for yourself if you keep taking refuge under the family tree.”  To me success is about forging my own path.”  I amy not be as talented as someone else.  Yet I agree with something else I read.  “The important thing in life is not to have a good hand, but to play it well.”
That to me sums it up nicely.  Some seem to ooze talent.  Every thing they put their hand too they seem to be good at.  Others seem to have singular abilities.  Yet to me it is not the latent talent that counts but what I do with what I have good.  It is sad but true that the world is full of unfulfilled talent.
Woody Allen said that showing up is 80% of life.  I do feel I know where he is  coming from with that one.  There are times I do not feel like something.  It is so easy to not be where I am to be on the way to fulfilling my dream.  As I highlighted yesterday sometimes clouds obscure the star, but the star is still there. 
But I am glad there have been others that have gone before and tell it like it is.  It is not easy but it is worth it.