Last night, I went looking through some of my favorite books for an inspirational quote. It’s not something I do often, but I was in the mood for a bit of motivation from outside myself. But I failed to find anything that spoke to me. So I turned on an episode of Law & Order and called it a night.

This morning featured a 10-mile run as marathon training begins to amp up the mileage. The sun was just rising and though it was early, South Buffalo was already busy (measured by the fact that not once, not twice but THREE times I was nearly hit by pick-up trucks). I was little over halfway through my run when I passed a church, read the marquee and smiled:

Failure seldom stops us. Fear of failure does.

Dreaming over morning Joe at Spot Coffee

Amen. Often I wonder what it means if I put in the absolute best effort I can, prepare as best as I can, do all the little things right and still fall short of my “goal.” Does that mean I failed? Perhaps. Or perhaps it means I need to redefine what I mean by success. As the fall sports seasons begin, I’m reminded by what some of the best coaches say to and about their teams. They don’t care if they lose to a better team. They care if their own team doesn’t show up, doesn’t play to the best of their ability. The scoreboard is just one way to measure success. Losses happen. It’s how you show up that makes the difference in the long run.

What would I do if I knew I could not fail?

It’s a question that brings a tinge of anxiety to the surface but that’s quickly extinguished by the excitement and enthusiasm of possibility. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Dream with me over over a cup of coffee, won’t you?