Striving Without Attainment

“Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object,” asked Thoreau, “and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated? Did ever a man try heroism, magnanimity, truth, sincerity, and find that there was no advantage in them,—that it was a vain endeavor?”

Orison Swett Marden, Ambition and Success

The truth is, aspiring towards a higher ideal doesnt always mean you will reach it. You could spend your entire life trying to attain that level but ultimately never reach it.

But what of your effort? Was it worthless? Was there no benefit to striving and trying again and again?

Rather the benefit was with the fact that because you were constantly trying, you improved and elevated yourself above your previous level, day by day.

The pursuit of perfection is part of perfection itself.

How many enter a race only to come 2nd or 3rd? Or perhaps even last? But their training strengthened their body, made healthy their limbs and disciplined their soul?

Your effort is never wasted. So try.