In the end, mastery involves discovering the most resonant information and integrating it so deeply and fully it disappears and allows us to fly free. - Joshua Waitzkin

So if you think that when you are better, it means that you can smash ahead and mate the guy, you are wrong, that is not what better means. What better means is that your position has the potential, if played correctly, to turn out well. So do not think that when you are better and when you are attacking that you can just force mate. That is not what it is about. Often the way to play best, the way to play within the position, is to maintain it.

To walk a thorny road, we may cover its every inch with leather or we can make sandals.

We must take responsibility for ourselves, and not expect the rest of the world to understand what it takes to become the best that we can become. Great ones are willing to get burned time and again as they sharpen their swords in the fire.