The notion that you could have done this awesome feat or that dazzling deed—WHO CARES?  I say pick something cool, apply consistent discipline, and use the experience to dissolve your weaknesses and shore up your strength.  In short, use adversity to hone yourself at the deepest levels.  As far as the romanticism of warrior/artist/businessman/spiritualist/etc…they’re just…

Pick whatever label you want—writer/soldier/artist/cage fighter/Samurai/spiritualist/businessman…there are core values that transfer from one to the other:  Attention to detail, creative problem-solving, DISCIPLINE (can be replaced obsession, but not as sustainable).  The outside flavors (drafting/fighting/painting/training/zen/ritual/entrepreneurship) are just that:  flavors.   In order to follow Musashi’s advice, dig deeper into that which is transferable…and then?  Dig even…

Handling failure is more than just enduring discomfort-that just leads to accumulated damage.  It’s really about setting aside ego and delving deep into the lessons of the wondrous gift that is “failure.”   The real win, IMHO, is having a spirit so refined/creative/disciplined that it effortlessly turns misfortunes into gains.  

Because of my physical constraints (and my linear movement through time), the effort I put into my work can be measured in geometric fashion. But by leveraging creativity, I aim for exponential results.