It's not simply a matter of saying: Oh, I'll live in the present. You have to work at it. Catch your mind when it wanders—don't let it get away from you. Discard distracting thoughts.

• mind

Our capacity to try, try, try is inextricably linked with our ability and tolerance to fail, fail, fail.

• effort
• failure

Try "God willing" over "the will to win" or "willing it into existence," for even those attributes can be broken. True will is quiet humility, resilience, and flexibility; the other kind of will is weakness disguised by bluster and ambition. See which lasts longer under the hardest of obstacles.

• will
• character

When we focus on others, on helping them or simply providing a good example, our own personal fears and troubles will diminish. With fear or heartache no longer our primary concern, we don't have time for it.

• fear
• service