The Importance of Persistence

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

* Calvin Coolidge

We can’t always have our day in the Sun. Rain, sleet, snow, typhoons, and blizzards happen. And when they do, our response to the environment is crucial.

Press on.

Feeling Under the Weather

After several weeks of writing, I felt I got things under control. But it takes a day like today to show me how fragile my work can be and come to a screeching stop.

I started out well enough: I woke up at 5:35 to go for my morning swim. I actually got there early enough to do some stretching. I got my flippers since it was flipper Thursdays and got into the water.

It was cold.

As I walked the length of the swimming pool, I was getting warmer. It wasn’t because of the water; it was the movement. Later, I heard from the swimming instructor that the water heater broken down and will be fixed by next Tuesday.

I didn’t think much about it. I did my morning walk. I went home. I had the whole morning to do my work since Da Missus was going to meet her friends.

Wrong.

I felt sore. My shoulders hurt a bit. It was hard to lift my arms above my head. I decided to take a small nap to recover from my aches and pain.

And the morning was gone.

I thought I would have time later in the afternoon or evening, but the lethargy continued into the evening.

And here I am, writing in the last legs of the day. I managed to start. I managed to write whatever I can. I did my best to not care about the words being typed.

It seems like I managed to get over the hump.

The Temporary Routine

I didn’t mean to do my writing at night, but it kind of became a habit. It’s my last bus out of town, the final moments.

Either do or die.

I’m not proud of the timing. Better this than none.

Stubbornness

I have to do this. I don’t have any more options. I must write and grab the last half-hours. I’m dizzy and my deltoid muscles are bugging me.

I stick like flies to honey.

The decision to say Enough is enough.

The Power of Persistence

Persistence is omnipotent because it keeps you going to the end.

We all need to practice persistence. We need to think we’ve reached our physical, mental, spiritual limits and then take that extra step.

Persistence creates growth and more opportunities. Persistence creates strength. Let’s be persistent in the things we care about. That’s how winning is done.