The climb up the ladder of success can be treacherous and you can find yourself beset by mishaps, prejudices, unknowingly self-inflicted wounds (those are the worst), and unfavorable circumstances; especially if you're not born on 1rst, 2nd, or 3rd base. But none of those compare to the ultimate gatekeeper of success. If you want to cross over to the other side, best be ready to pay the price of PERSISTENCE.