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I believe in the ability to improve and overcome. In my opinion, any situation can be winnable depending upon my desire to succeed.

Even if an altercation becomes physical, even if I am smaller, or seemingly weaker; as long as my will and intent outweighs the fear in my heart and the physical ability of my opponent, I can beat anyone.

Understand something; our level of willingness is what determines our level of accomplishment.

Depending upon my hunger, or on my thirst for the better, and depending upon my determination, I can improve and succeed in any situation

As long as I refuse to quit and as long as I am prepared to continue, no matter how much time needs to be put in, my desire to win is what strengthens my ability to endure—because without endurance, there will never be any victory.

The way I see it . . .

There is no such thing as a cheap win.

In fact, no true win is ever easy.

Easy is valueless

Easy is quick and fleeting

Easy is like a teenage boy running home after his first three minutes of sex and never understanding the compliment of laying still beside the accomplishment of a first love.

Back when I was a kid, I remember a few girls that went to a photographer. They paid to have a portfolio made up.

They paid for head shots or any shots that would (at least, in their
eyes) qualify them as a model.

Next day, they walked around, bragging to their friends, and telling everyone about their huge modeling career.

They told everyone, “I’m a model now.”

But they really weren’t . . .

I remember sitting across from a man in a bookstore. He was standing in front of me, speaking about himself, and telling me about his writing.

This man proceeded to tell me why I will never be successful as a writer.

I listened to this man break my spirit and put ne down for nearly twenty minutes, though I’m not sure why.

I suppose I listened out of educational intimidation or maybe I listened because of my overwhelming bouts with insecurity.

I listened, halfway to impressed, and then I asked the man, “How many books have you had published.”

“Oh, I’ve never been published,” he told me.

Next, the man proceeded to tell me about a book deal he had. Told me how he had a publisher at his heels. Said, “The book shouldn’t cost me that much to publish.”

“A little less than two grand,” he told me.

I asked him, “So you’re going to pay to be published?”

“Yeah,” he answered. “Didn’t you do it like that?”

That’s when I told him, “No.”

That’s when I explained, “Paying to be published is not the same thing as being a published author.”

“Paying to be published is just like going to a printer . . . Anybody will print anything if you pay them to do it.”

Then I pointed to a sign that said, “Meet The Author,” and asked him to walk away from the table at my book signing.

See, I made a decision a while back. Whatever kind of writer I will be; it will be because I taught myself and pushed myself. That’s why I write everyday. Whatever success I find will be because I never quit and I never listened to people like the man from the bookstore or to the girls who paid to have their photos taken.

There will always be someone looking to brag or pose like they’re successful.

But bragging is not the same thing as winning.

At least, not to me it isn’t.

Be thirsty folks, and whatever you do

be sure to enjoy your day!

Written by Ben Kimmel, The Written Addiction www.thewrittenaddiction.com