Own YOUR Success: The Power to Choose Greatness and Make Every Day Victorious

Chapter 4

Acting with Courage and Integrity

The Second Encounter

Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities . . . because it is the quality which guarantees all others.

—Winston Churchill

Armed with a fresh perspective, Pierce looked forward to spending some time in the sun to reflect. San Diego was an obvious choice for him, as it held many fond memories of summer vacations with his maternal grandparents as a young boy. Fresh air, sun, and sea were the perfect ingredients, providing a peaceful, tranquil backdrop for some serious introspection.

Sitting aboard the American Airlines craft, Pierce closed his eyes, honing his newfound meditation skills. Building on Jon’s tea trick, he had graduated to seated meditations, managing up to 15 minutes in a given session. While his thoughts often drifted and the pain in his knee occasionally begged his consciousness for attention, his ability to focus improved with each session. Meditation began to play a major role in Pierce’s day, and he felt as though he’d been rewarded with clarity for his perseverance. In fact, he questioned how he had lived without it. A typical knee-jerk reaction to issues would now be a thing of the past, as the tiny fracture in his mind slowly began to broaden. The sensation was palpable as Pierce’s mind began its journey from closed to wide open, his heart following closely behind. Maturing buds, unfolding in the dawn light, stretched to their fullest potential.

“Excuse me, sir?” Pierce looked up. ...