I love lists and “secret recipes” of wisdom why I was very happy to stumble upon a blog entry from Steven Bienna, in  Business Insider this summer, a wrap up of Amy Morins bock with the same name: 13 things mentally strong people don’t do

Success, however you define it, does not come by chance. As many achievers have said, “the more I practice, the luckier I get.”

I have learned from many years the power of focusing on what matters, to fix the issue and not whine about it, to be fully in the moment, no longing, resent, guilt nor anticipation. Just bloody do it. Amy sums up the stop-do list for mentally strong people rather well and I recognize myself in each of these bullets. I am mentally strong. So can you be!

1. They don’t waste time feeling sorry for themselves (OK to cry once in a while though)
2. They don’t give away their power  (integrity comes with a price)
3. They don’t shy away from change (embrace it, defines it)
4. They don’t focus on things they can’t control (as Dalai Lhama says, don’t worry twice)
5. They don’t worry about pleasing everyone (go energy plus)
6.  They don’t fear taking calculated risks (but don’t be an idiot)
7.  They don’t dwell on the past (sentimental memories and great stories should be told!)
8. They don’t make the same mistakes over and over
9. They don’t resent other people’s success (I am happy for them)
10. They don’t give up after the first failure (stubborn and positive)
11. They don’t fear alone time (love it, need it, take it)
12. They don’t feel the world owes them anything (grateful)
13. They don’t expect immediate results (long term gardener and strategist)

I am fortunate to have met people like this and I believe I am one myself. Mentally strong. Thick forehead. High integrity. Stubborn. Positive. Life is magic!