The solution to practically everything in life is…

To be aware.

We can zoom into the example of the chess player.

The chess player who can remain aware through wins and losses can keep his mind on the actual goal of his play.

To become a better player. Always.

Other players can become unconscious when they win. They immediate react, “Yes! Woohoo!” and turn off their awareness.

The great player knows that this is unconscious time that limits his growth. He celebrates, yes, but he remains aware as he celebrates. He observes the moment and the game he just played and processes it all. It becomes experience this way.

Other players can become unconscious when they lose. They immediately react, “Stupid! That situation was dumb. He was cheating” and turn off their awareness.

The great player knows once again that this unconscious time limits his growth. He can feel the pain, but he remains aware as he feels it. He reflects on the game and observes it deeply without letting emotion block out any information. This too becomes experience.

The reason why people can do something for decades and not get any better is simply this. They were not aware as they were doing the activity. They were asleep.

Thus, if we seek to be aware and awake more often in our lives, we will naturally get better at living and want to improve our lives.

We will say things like, “Hold on, I’ve been doing that a lot, huh?” and take the steps to resolve it.

It all begins with the development of awareness.