We all have dreams—big, bold, "I’m-going-to-change-the-world" dreams. But sometimes, reality has other plans, and we fall short. The thing is, no matter how many people we know or how well-connected we are, we’re always alone in our thoughts. You can explain your feelings to someone, but they still won’t really get it because they’re not in your shoes. Even if they were in your shoes, their personality would be different, their outlook unique. It’s like having a dream, the kind only you can fully experience—whether it’s a blissful fantasy or a full-blown nightmare. Even when your friends tell you about their nightmares, it’s not quite the same as living through your own.

Humans are complicated. And in this game of life, it’s often the strong, the cold, or the clever who seem to get ahead. But honestly, even the ones who aren’t the brightest sometimes win just by refusing to give up. Persistence, it turns out, can be as valuable as brilliance.

As Albert Einstein put it, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” It’s a reminder that surviving the ups and downs of life isn’t just about being the best; it’s about hanging in there.

Falling short might feel like reality smacking us in the face, but let’s be real: if there’s no carrot dangling in front of us, life can feel pretty pointless. We need motivation, something to strive for, and a strong spine to keep us upright. Whether it’s the pursuit of success, personal growth, or even religious belief, having a purpose gives us the backbone we need to face the world. Religion, for many, has been a source of strength, offering a framework for meaning both in the long and short run.

At the end of the day, knowing you’re doing good and getting rewarded for it—that’s what fuels the soul.

As Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”