“Missing a train is only painful if you run after it! Likewise, not matching the idea of success others expect from you is only painful if that’s what you are seeking.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan

When you want something but can’t get it, you feel emotional pain.

Therefore, you should not make your happiness reliant on things that you might not get, or things you have and might lose. You can still strive for them if they are good for you but, if you can’t get them, or if you get them and lose them later, don’t feel sad. Just smile, release your desire for them, and enjoy what you still have.

“True ignorance is not the absence of knowledge, but the refusal to acquire it.”
― Karl R. Popper, Austrian-British Philosopher

When starting on something new, it’s natural to lack knowledge. But no matter what level you start at in a subject:

• You can always gain knowledge and no one can take it away from you

• If you make a mistake, you learn from the experience

• There are no limits to the amount of knowledge you can acquire

You will never fail as long as you are open to learning. But if you refuse to learn then you will never grow, and will remain ignorant of the endless knowledge, experiences, and possibilities that life has to offer.

“Growth and comfort do not coexist.”
― Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM

To grow as a person you must gain something new whether it be knowledge, skill, or other key quality. It will feel uncomfortable because you are breaking the barriers of your current mind.

Thus, feeling uncomfortable is a good thing since it means that you are growing. On the flip side, feeling comfortable is not good; it means that things are easy and familiar for you. You’re not breaking any mental barriers, you’re not growing.