I just quoted William James in a comment on another blog, but your blog brings a different of his quotes to mind: "We measure ourselves by many standards, our strength and intelligence, our wealth, even our good luck are things which warm our heart and make us feel ourselves a match for life.  But deeper than all such things and able to suffice unto itself without them is the sense of the amount of effort we can put forth.  One who can make none is but a shadow.  One who can make much is a hero."  Of course we would say it needs to be right effort, not strained or judgmental. But beginning again captures that quite nicely I think!