To lack courage is to refuse to confront your weaknesses. But before you can confront them, you must first admit that they exist. Among your weaknesses, two stand out: your lack of focus and your unreserved niceties.

You are not burdened with the responsibility of changing the world, but it is your duty not to make it worse. This obligates you to better yourself every single day. Neglecting to maximize your potential is not just a sin against yourself—it is a sin against the world. For you are part of it, just as it is part of you.

Ask yourself this: When have you truly taken a risk? When have you made sacrifices? When were you brave enough to act with honor? Without risk and sacrifice, you cannot become the person you are meant to be. But heed this warning: take only calculated risks and make thoughtful sacrifices. Know your goals, and take risks with purpose, sacrificing wisely to achieve them.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must learn how to lose—despite all the risks you take and the sacrifices you make. Any return from risk or sacrifice is a surplus, a gift. From the very beginning, you are indebted to life.

You are worth the amount of losses you can withstand without corrupting your character. When all is lost, it is your ability to remain master of yourself that preserves your sense of pride. To master oneself is the ultimate proof of character.

Better yourself every day, but never at the expense of violating the core of who you are. It is one thing to improve; it is another to remain true to yourself amidst the chaos of failure and the allure of shortcuts.