Persist

Persist

The longer you hang in there, the greater the chance that something will happen in your favor.
No matter how hard it seems, the longer you persist, the more likely your success
. ~ Jack Canfield

Not wanting to spoil the movie for those who haven’t seen it, I will simply say that I was pretty sure I could conquer the world when I walked out of the theater with my family after having seen The Last Jedi. The courage of the characters, the determination they showed throughout the movie, was more than inspiring. I will see it again and take notes as I realize that the theme of 2018 will be based on one word for me: PERSIST. Not the resist that so many have held to during the last year, but a step beyond. To me, resist simply reminds me of the people who have tried to talk me into things throughout life, as I have tried to resist their pressure, their charms, their cajoling, their threats. For me, Canfield’s words are not ones to encourage me to push back, but instead to press forward. In 2018, I will persist.

Have you ever just wanted to give up on something? A relationship, a project, a trip to the grocery, a diet, goals — so many places we can give up. It’s so easy to give in to the frustration, feelings of failure, or lack of cooperation by others, but when it really matters, why aren’t we persisting? I want to…

  • write a book
  • spend time traveling with my retired husband
  • be a better wife, daughter, mother, sister, friend, volunteer
  • be a less serious and more creative photographer and writer
  • eat out less, cook at home more
  • read more books
  • write more letters

But you know what happens? A book is on the back burner while I tackle a couple of other projects, traveling is more time and money than we’ve allowed for at the moment, relationships require good choices and lots of making amends (even when we think we’ve made them already), being less serious and more creative requires some forethought, cooking more at home definitely requires planning ahead, and reading books and writing letters means fewer electronics.

It’s January — what better time to plan and persist when other projects, lack of money, hurt feelings, and frustration with myself are staring me in the face?

Why don’t we persist? Research tells us that people underestimate themselves and their ability to do more. Take a young child to the grocery and watch as they persist in trying to get candy at the checkout. They do not underestimate their power at all. They can wear a parent down through their persistent efforts of getting what they want. THAT is what you and I need when we have a project to complete, a relationship that is struggling,  or a goal that looks like it’s unreachable.

This year, let’s remind each other to persist. When you see someone struggling, remind them of the value of persisting. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to achieve success, and following Canfileld’s reminder in the hard moments will help us remember that hanging on, pressing forward, and persisting will be much more likely to end in a success than quitting and giving up on ourselves or others.

It’s difficult not to say a little from the movie since it is what has really inspired me to persist in 2018. When Rey asks Leia Organa How do we build a Rebellion from this?” Leia Organa (Princess Leia) replies, “We have everything we need.” Friends, that is my message to you, and to me. How do I build my part of the universe into what I’ve envisioned? I have everything I need. I will stay right where I am and persist. We cannot allow the Kylo Rens of the world to destroy us.

In my down moments, someone remind me to PERSIST!

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Thoughts to Encourage

Joy is the will which labors, which overcomes obstacles, which knows triumph.~ William Butler Yeats

Whether you think you can or think you can’t you’re right. - Henry Ford

The best way out is always through. ~ Robert Frost

Real difficulties can be overcome, it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. ~ Theodore N. Vail

Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall. ~ Oliver Goldsmith

You must be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

Nothing helps like a good nap…

Birds are Beautiful

A Dog is Faithful…