The Power of Perseverance

Ever wonder why some people succeed, an even excel, with extreme circumstances, and others can't seem to overcome? The answer lies in perseverance. Yes, good old perseverance. 


WHAT IS PERSEVERANCE?
Perseverance is to persist at what it is we are trying to achieve, until it is indeed a done deal. It's to keep moving forward, pressing on, despite the obstacles, or difficulties we may encounter along the way. It's a resolute and unyielding desire to hold on, to stay the course, no matter what. It's applying our best efforts for an undesignated time, with no certainty of an end result. Does this sound appealing to you? For many, it does, IF they are determined to get what they desire, no matter the cost. To others, it is not appealing, as it requires mental, physical, emotional, spiritual work and endurance. This is the age of "get it now", and let's face it Team, the things worth striving for in life take time to achieve, and perhaps a lifetime to conquer. For many, if they cannot 'get it now', they'd rather not have it. 


THE THINGS IN LIFE WHICH ARE OF GREATEST VALUE CANNOT BE SEEN...ONLY FELT. CANNOT BE RECOGNIZED...ONLY UNDERSTOOD. CANNOT BE BOUGHT...ONLY EARNED.  - Jill Nix


THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS
Think about what and who means the most to you in your life, and why. Write down three things you would like to achieve during your lifetime, and why. Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 on the totem pole, and assess where you are at with each of them. Decide if they are truly worth your effort in giving it all you have to accomplish. This means strength of character. It means sacrifice. It means facing your fears. It means practicing self-control, self-restraint, and self-discipline. It could be a long, long, road, with many turns, and unsuspecting obstacles. It will mean inconvenience, hardships, and heartaches along the way. You will grow weary from time to time. You will question your own abilities. You will question your own self-worth. Others will judge you. Do you still want to do it? If the answer is 'yes', then this is one of your life's purpose's, and you should not shun it, fear it, or turn from it.


THE PAY-OFF
The pay-off? Yes, the pay-off. It's in overcoming what you once believed was the impossible. It's in a feeling of fulfillment that only comes through perseverance and none other. It's looking at the progress you've made over the days, weeks, months, and years. It's accomplishing something that only you can fully comprehend as valuable. You will many times feel as though you walked alone, and in the end realize you were never alone for long, just long enough to learn a lesson, and perhaps a tough one at that. You will gain an inner strength that cannot be described. You will indeed have an impact on many. The pay-off is priceless my friends.


MAY WE ALL KNOW WHAT WE'RE AFTER - AND PERSEVERE!