Mastery requires endurance. Mastery, a word we don’t use often, is not the equivalent of what we might consider its cognate—perfectionism—an inhuman aim motivated by a concern with how others view us. Mastery is also not the same as success—an event-based victory based on a peak point, a punctuated moment in time. Mastery is not merely a commitment to a goal, but to a curved-line, constant pursuit.

Pain is not a punishment. And pleasure is not a reward. You could argue that failure is not punishment and Success is not reward. They're just failure and success. You can choose how you respond.

The pursuit of mastery is an ever-onward almost.

Mastery is in constantly wanting to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Mastery is in the reaching, not in the arriving.

We thrive not when we've done it all, but when we still have more to do.

Play allows us to maintain curiosity while learning.