When someone confronts a challenge, they either enter the challenge having possession of something they are afraid to lose, or in pursuit of something they feel they need to get. You have probably heard the phrase “nothing to lose, everything to gain” in reference to someone facing challenge or trying to accomplish something difficult. The person in question tells themselves this in order to free themselves up to go after the goal without reservation.
But, can they be completely free when they feel drawn to gain something they don’t possess? Aren’t they still tethered to results when they feel there is something lacking in their life that they want?
For the person who is truly free in spirit, it would be better said, “nothing to lose, nothing to gain.”
Having “everything to gain” is the same as having “everything missing.” The real challenge is contentment. If you believe you will be incomplete if you don’t acquire the thing you want, then you are really just a slave to whatever that thing is. Whether you get it or not, it owns your identity.
The complete person has nothing to lose and nothing to gain. The complete competitor has the moment, nothing before and nothing after.
Braden Bristo’s - The Journeyman’s Path 