I believe that life is what you make of it and regardless of what hand you get dealt by fate/whatever if you get on and deal with it then you're doing well.  Even when the chips are down if you look at something as a learning experience or find the positive value you can take from it then you've never really failed.  If life starts getting on top of you then that's the time you need to sit back, re-evaluate and find a good friend to chat to.....good friends are the best anchour anyone can have.