The Persister

Persistence is defined as a firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that every new day brings a new opportunity to give up. I am not speaking of "giving up" although many do every day. I will not be one of those. Really I am willing to guess that within the next 24 hours you will have an opportunity to be offended. Offense is almost a given in all of our lives. The question is not "how" we are offended but what we will do "when" we are. I have had people tell me that I could not possibly offend them; seeing as being offended is a choice, they might be right.

But really, things will come along everyday that try to derail our good intentions, but we must stay on track and see our dreams and goals through to the end. Maybe you want to be the next Iron Chef, don't be discouraged when someone tells you that your cooking is terrible; get back up and pop a better bowl of popcorn. What if it is your dream to fly an airplane don't stay grounded because your mom is afraid to travel by anything but a car...or covered wagon. Dream big and don't listen to the nay-sayers; persist, and be persistent.

Here are some of my favorite persistence quotes.

When the world says, 'Give up" Hope whispers, "try one more time"
Author Unknown

Fall seven times, stand up eight.
Japanese Proverb

Consider the postage stamp: it's usefulness consists in it's ability to stick to one thing until it gets there.
Josh Billings

Difficult things take a long time, impossible things take a little longer.
Author Unknown

Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway: we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.
Earl Nightingale

I can do all things through Christ who give me strength.
The Bible

If you are on the right track, facing the right direction, keep moving ahead.
Mr Toad

Nothing in the 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."

Calvin Coolidge