“Our whole way of living is structured around climbing the ladder of success and making it to the top. Our very sense of vitality is dependant upon being part of the upward pull and upon the joy provided by the rewards given on the way up. Our parents, teachers, and friends impress upon us from the moment we are able to pick up the cues that it is our holy task to make it in this world. To be a real man or woman is to show that one cannot only survive the long competitive struggle for success but also come out victorious…….Thus life is presented as a series of battles which we can win or lose. When we win we have lived up to the ideals of out milieu, but when we lose it is clearly because of our own shortcomings….”
~Henri Nouwen