"Dios no nos exige tener éxito, solo exige que lo intentemos."

The core idea here is that effort matters more than achieving success. It's about the importance of giving your best shot, regardless of the outcome. This perspective can be incredibly relieving, especially when you're feeling the pressure from society, family, or even yourself to constantly succeed.

Historically, this quote is often attributed to Mother Teresa, who spent her life working with the poor and sick in Calcutta. Times were tough, resources were limited, and the problems were overwhelming. Despite all this, she believed that the effort itself was valuable. You don’t have to be a saint, though, to understand and apply this wisdom. It's universal. We all face times when our best efforts don't lead to the results we hoped for.

Let's dive into a real-life example. Picture a high school student named Alex. Alex is struggling with math. No matter how many hours he spends solving equations and working through problems, his grades remain average. It’s disheartening. But Alex's teacher notices his effort. She sees him staying after class, working with tutors, and even helping his classmates. Eventually, she writes him a recommendation letter, praising his determination and resilience. Alex doesn’t end up as a math wizard, but his effort earns him respect and opens doors to opportunities he hadn't considered.

What’s the takeaway here for you? Don’t get hung up on the end result. Focus on what you can control—your effort, your attitude, and your persistence. If you give something your all, you can walk away with your head held high, no matter the outcome. This can be applied to any area of your life: your job, your relationships, or even a hobby you’re trying to get better at.

Imagine you're at a coffee shop with a friend. Your friend is complaining about how they failed to get a promotion at work despite working long hours and dedicating themselves to the job. You might say, "Look, I get it. You gave everything you had, and that's commendable. Remember, it's not always about the end result. Sometimes, it's about the journey and the effort you put in. It won't go unnoticed."

Think about a time when you tried really hard at something and didn’t succeed. Maybe it was a project at work, learning a new skill, or even something personal like training for a marathon. Did the effort feel wasted? Probably not. You likely learned something, grew stronger, or gained a new perspective.

So, next time you’re beating yourself up over not hitting a goal, remind yourself that trying is what truly counts. Success is great, sure, but it's not the only measure of your worth. Your effort, the blood, sweat, and tears you put into trying—those things are priceless. And who knows? Often, the real magic happens in the trying, not in the succeeding.