winning

"It's not whether they think you've won, but if you think you've won."
There are times I have won first place in something, but deep in my heart, I know I did not give it my best. Other times, I didn't win the trophy, but I gave it every ounce of all I had. In my head, I won. Just like I tell my kids, "What's most important is, did you give it your very best?"