All of life is peaks and valleys. Don't let the peaks get too

"All of life is peaks and valleys. Don't let the peaks get too high and the valleys too low." These words from the legendary coach John Wooden carry with them a timeless truth that echoes through the ages. In this brief statement, Wooden teaches us about the inevitable rise and fall of life—the moments of triumph and defeat, the joy and the sorrow. Life, he tells us, is a constant flow of highs and lows, and it is in learning to balance these moments that we find true wisdom. For Wooden, the message is clear: emotional stability is the key to enduring life's challenges. Do not allow the highs to lift you so far above the earth that you lose sight of reality, nor let the lows drag you so deeply into despair that you forget your strength.

In the ancient traditions of the Stoics, we find a similar teaching. Epictetus, one of the greatest Stoic philosophers, believed that it was not external events, but our responses to them, that determined our peace. He taught that life is filled with trials—both successes and failures—and it is how we face these challenges that defines our character. The Stoic ideal was to remain calm, steadfast, and unshaken, regardless of what life threw at you. Just as Wooden advises against letting the peaks get too high or the valleys too low, Epictetus reminds us to maintain equanimity—a steady, balanced heart—amidst both victories and defeats.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, a man who experienced the highest peaks and the deepest valleys of human existence. In his early years, Alexander's conquests seemed unstoppable, his triumphs celebrated across the world. Yet, as his empire grew, so did his internal struggles. The peaks of his success were often accompanied by periods of great despair and loneliness. Alexander’s eventual decline, both in health and in his empire's unity, showed the dangers of allowing the highs to define him completely. His inability to find balance led to his untimely death and the disintegration of the empire he had worked so hard to build. Alexander’s story illustrates Wooden's point: when we allow the peaks of success to define us, we risk losing ourselves when those peaks inevitably fall.

Similarly, Abraham Lincoln offers a more recent example of finding balance amid life's ups and downs. Lincoln, who led the nation through the Civil War, faced not only political and military challenges, but also personal struggles. He lost his beloved son, dealt with deep depression, and faced immense political opposition. Yet, Lincoln remained steady. His resolve in the face of adversity—never allowing the valleys to sink him into hopelessness or the peaks of victory to inflate his sense of self-importance—made him one of the most revered leaders in history. Lincoln, like Wooden’s advice, shows us the importance of staying grounded no matter how high the peaks or how low the valleys.

In our own lives, the temptation to be swept away by either euphoria or despair is ever-present. When success comes, it can feel as though we are invincible. We bask in the glory of victory and may even forget the lessons learned during our struggles. Yet, as Wooden warns, the danger lies in letting these moments define us. The same can be said when we face defeat or failure—our natural instinct may be to plunge into the depths of despair, believing that the valley is all there is. But this is where the wisdom of Wooden and the Stoics comes into play: life is always in flux, and neither success nor failure lasts forever. Both are but passing moments on the journey.

The key to enduring life's ever-changing landscape lies in cultivating emotional stability. We must embrace the victories, but not let them define us. Similarly, we must accept the losses, but not let them break us. By learning to balance our emotions and maintain perspective, we create a steady course through the storms and sunshine of life. This is the true power of resilience—the ability to rise again after every fall, without being swept away by either pride or despair.

Thus, the lesson from Wooden and the ancient sages is clear: life will always be a mix of highs and lows, but our response to them determines our peace. Let us strive for equanimity, understanding that success and failure are but fleeting moments. When the peaks come, we savor them, but do not lose ourselves in them. When the valleys come, we endure, knowing that they too shall pass. Let us remain steady, grounded, and wise, remembering that true strength lies not in avoiding the ups and downs of life, but in maintaining our balance amidst them.