I thought that the difference between a successful life and an unsuccessful one, between me at that moment and all the people who owned the cars that were nosed-in to their proper places in the lot, maybe between me and that woman out in the trailers by the gold mine, was how well you were able to put things like this out of your mind and not be bothered by them, and maybe too, by how many troubles like this one you had to face in a lifetime.
The speaker reflects on the nature of success and failure, contemplating what differentiates a successful life from an unsuccessful one. They consider how certain individuals manage to navigate their circumstances without being affected by external pressures, like the neatness of parked cars or the struggles of others living in less favorable conditions. This inner peace appears to be a crucial factor in achieving a successful mindset.
Further along, the speaker suggests...
