It is not a good idea to “label” people. If we judge another, we are wrong because, as we are not him (or her), we do not know who they actually “are”. But one thing we can’t help noticing is how different people can be. I spotted three types.

The first type is the "achiever". He (or she) works all his life, he reaches his goals and is always active. Life presents him with challenges and he faces them with courage and determination. This person deserves to be admired because he (or she) has the guts to live his life fully, to grasp the opportunities, deal with the obstacles, he welcomes victories with pride but he also accepts the inevitable defeats - without ever giving in to depression or despair. His life is varied, exciting, in continuous development.

The second type of person is the "normal", the mediocre one. He (or she) usually doesn't put himself in the condition of having to make big choices. He likes to play it safe and accepts life as it comes, day after day, without great aspirations. He is satisfied with what he has and does not feel the need to look beyond his horizon. If you asked him if has ever thought of trying something new, he would ask back you, in amazement, "Why should I?"

True, why should he? Why get involved with other ideas, strange reasoning and unlikely possibilities? His life is dull, but safe. Whenever he has to face a difficult situation (as everybody does, one time or another), he does his best to solve it with the minimum effort. A problem with a friend, a relative or a colleague? No need for a confrontation, according to him. He just ignores the whole thing and prefers to leave matters unsolved as long as the waters continue moving along. I would call such individual the "who cares?" type.

The third kind of human being I am taking into consideration is the "loser". When I was living abroad I saw, more than once, people wearing T-shirts with the caption "Born to lose". I was systematically surprised, every single time, because I could not understand how any clothes manufacturer would conceive the idea (and consider it a good one) of creating such an item. Who is willing to define himself "Born to lose" (I am just realizing that I saw only men, usually young, wearing it - never women or girls. Is there a hidden message?) Anyway... let us proceed. Continuing my wondering, I also asked myself how could retailers buy this product and hope to sell it. Who would buy it? No one! Of course, I was totally wrong. Here comes the main question: why would anyone wish to wear a declaration of defeat? A declaration of their own incapacity of creating a decent life for themselves? Aren't all human beings endowed with an inner desire to do good, to do better, to improve themselves and their lives?

Apparently it is not so. They must be programmed to face life's challenges with the "It's not for me", the "Poor me", the “It's never me” attitude. Therefore I see individuals who, although at first they seem to be getting along well – when the first difficult situation materializes – are ready to immediately declare "Knock Out!" They are not willing to accept the idea that, as others did, they, too, can face hard times and overcome them, can deal with a challenge and come out the winner.

They prefer to sit back, blame it on others, on their bad luck etc. They firmly believe that their misfortune makes them eligible for pity, consideration, assistance from... the rest of the world. They literally let themselves go… As a consequence they stop trying, they do nothing at all, just wait to be taken care of. Do you know anyone like this? There aren't many, fortunately, but still... It is very sad to watch even just one precious life wasted for lack of faith in one's self, lack of hope for the future, lack of just a little courage to “dare”.

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